L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, APRIL 20, 2023 L'Italo-Americano N a r n i i s a n e x q u i s i t e h i l l town located in Umbria: it sits on a rocky out- crop overlooking the Nera River, and its narrow streets, ancient churches, and stun- ning views make it a great place to experience. If you like historical reenactments and good, old-fashioned tradition- al events, then you should visit Narni between the end of April and the beginning of May, when the famous Corsa all'Anello, or Race to the Ring, takes place. Be ready to step back in time and have great fun! The Corsa all'Anello di Narni is definitely one of the most engaging and popular historical reenactments in Italy, drawing thousands of visitors each year from all over the country. Its origins are shrouded in mystery, but it is believed to have started in the 14th centu- ry: according to one popular l e g e n d , t h e c o n t e s t w a s invented by a group of knights who were passing through Narni on their way to a tour- n a m e n t . T h e y w e r e c h a l - lenged by the locals to prove their skill and courage, and so the Corsa all'Anello was born. In time, the event became part of the celebrations for Narni's patron saint, Giove- nale, who is honored on the 3rd of May, and it is still like that today. The key event begins on May 1st, with a herald passing t h r o u g h t h e c i t y ' s s t r e e t s announcing the start of the festive, sporting, and religious celebrations. On the night of May 2, a solemn procession known as the Offerta dei Ceri takes place through the streets of Narni, ending at the cathedral: this is one of the most ancient traditions con- nected to the Corsa, with doc- uments attesting to its exis- tence as early as 1227. But the highlight of it all is the Corsa all'Anello itself, which takes place on the sec- ond Sunday in May. It con- sists of two different races: t h e h i s t o r i c C o r s a all'Anello and the mod- ern Corsa all'Anello. The historic Corsa all'Anello, also k n o w n a s t h e C o r s a d e l Palio and open to all, is the oldest and most traditional r a c e . T h e m o d e r n C o r s a all'Anello, on the other hand, is a more recent addition: it comes, so to speak, in two rounds, La Sfida (the chal- lenge), in May as per tradi- tion, and la Rivincita (the rematch), introduced in 2017, which happens in September. Both events are surrounded by a plethora of cultural ini- tiatives, and plenty of things to do are organized around town. The modern horse race is a t h r i l l i n g a n d c o m p e t i t i v e spectacle that attracts the best horsemen and jousters a r o u n d : i t t a k e s p l a c e a t t h e C a m p o d e l i G i o c h i , where participants compete in a thrilling joust, aiming to s p e a r a s m a l l m e t a l r i n g hanging from a wire. The ring is only a few centimeters in diameter, making the compe- tition both challenging and impressive to watch. Celebra- tions are not limited to the joust, though, because the city comes alive with parades, pageants, and various other activities throughout the fes- tivities. These events show- case the rich cultural heritage of Narni and are an excellent opportunity to experience the local traditions firsthand. But the Corsa all'Anello is more than just a jousting tournament, it is a celebra- tion of Narni's rich cultural heritage and history: it is steeped in ancient traditions and rituals rooted deeply into the community's cultural conscience, and it offers the opportunity to truly get in touch with Narni's past. Par- t i c i p a n t s i n t h e m o d e r n Corsa are dressed in tradi- tional medieval attire, com- plete with armor, swords, and shields, and even the horses are adorned with intricate and colorful garments that add to the splendor of the e v e n t . A l l o f t h i s m i r r o r s ancient medieval fashion and customs and is reproduced with much attention to detail and historical accuracy. And l e t ' s n o t f o r g e t t h a t the Corsa is also an opportu- nity for visitors to explore the charming town of Narni: visi- tors can explore the narrow cobbled streets of the historic town center, which is home to several beautiful medieval buildings and churches, pret- t y c a f é s a n d t r a d i t i o n a l stores. W i t h s u c h a l o n g a n d interesting history, it isn't surprising that the Corsa all'Anello tradition is filled with curiosities and quirky anecdotes! For instance, in the past, the winner of the contest was given the honor of choosing a bride among the l o c a l w o m e n , a n d the Corsa was even banned – albeit briefly – by the Church in the 17th century due to its association with gambling and excess; the ban was lifted a few years later. A n d w h i l e y o u a r e i n Umbria, of course, you must try and enjoy the local cui- sine, which is absolutely deli- cious: from strangozzi with black truffle to porchetta, from torta al testo – a type of flatbread cooked on a hot griddle called testo, and filled with various ingredients, such as cured meats, cheese, and v e g e t a b l e s – t o w i l d b o a r d i s h e s a n d c r e s c i o n d a — a traditional dessert made with eggs, sugar, and almonds and often served with choco- late sauce — there is some- thing for all tastes! Thinking about the "Corsa" with a curious companion (Photo: Valerio Mei/Shutterstock) T h e m a g i c o f N a r n i a n d t h e Corsa all'Anello FRANCESCA BEZZONE ALL AROUND ITALY TRAVEL TIPS DESTINATIONS ACTIVITIES

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