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UNESCO

Italy’s earthquake-hit towns are bidding for Unesco status

Italy will be putting forward two bids for Unesco World Heritage status from the central Italian region devastated by recent earthquakes, the national Unesco committee said on Monday.

Published: 28 March 2017 09:40 CEST
Updated: 28 March 2017 10:46 CEST
Italy's earthquake-hit towns are bidding for Unesco status
File photo of the prized black truffles: Anne-Christine Poujoulat/AFP

In the running for the prestigious recognition are the 'truffle culture' of Norcia, Umbria, which was one of the worst hit towns in last year's quakes, and a religious festival from l'Aquila, a town still recovering from a deadly tremblor in 2009.

Before the earthquake, Norcia was a town little known outside Italy, except among in-the-know foodies, who celebrated it for its ham and truffles as well as the picturesque scenery.

The regional councillor for Culture and Tourism, Antonella Parigi, said Monday's announcement was “great news for one of the excellent products of our territory”.

Black truffles thrive in Norcia's hills and warm climate, and the 'black diamonds' are celebrated in the town's annual fair, Nero Norcia. 

Comprising markets, tastings and other events revolving around the truffles and other local culinary produce, the fair dates back more than 60 years. Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni attended the 2017 edition, which went ahead despite ongoing recovery efforts in the town.

According to figures from agricultural organization Coldiretti, the region's truffle industry is worth half a billion euros annually.

However, the series of earthquakes in 2016 left the town's agricultural sector suffering from huge losses of revenue and livestock.

Italy's Unesco committee unanimously voted in favour of submitting the bid from Norcia, along with one from nearby l'Aquila.

L'Aquila is seeking Unesco recognition for its Perdonanza Celestiniana festival; a historic tradition which commemorates Pope Celestine V granting an indulgence to pilgrims visiting the Santa Maria di Collemaggio church on the anniversary of his papal coronation. 

The pope's body is still kept at the basilica, with some saying the fact his remains were undamaged by the quake was a 'miracle'.

The two bids have been submitted to the Unesco committee in Paris, where they will be reviewed by the end of 2018, with a decision expected the following year.

Italy already boasts more Unesco heritage sites than any other country, with 51 to its name – a number so high that it didn't bother to bid for any more last year, to give other countries a chance to catch up.

READ ALSO: Five Italian Unesco sites you won't have heard of

Five Italian Unesco sites you won't have heard of
Photo: Pit56/Flickr

Its heritage sites range from entire cities such as Florence and Venice, to cathedrals, castles and ancient ruins.

In 2016, Italy announced it had prepared a dossier to get Neapolitan pizza added to Unesco's Intangible Cultural Heritage List, and earlier this year, it announced a bid to get Unesco status for its Prosecco hills, where the famous drink is made.

READ ALSO: Why Italy wants Unesco status for its Prosecco hills

Why Italy wants Unesco heritage status for its Prosecco hills
Photo: Vincenzo Pinto/AFP

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CULTURE

Updated: What is Italy’s Palio di Siena and where can you watch it?

Italy's hotly-anticipated Palio di Siena horse race is back - but what exactly is it and where can you watch it?

Published: 16 August 2024 12:10 CEST
Updated: What is Italy's Palio di Siena and where can you watch it?

The renowned Palio di Siena horse race returns on Saturday, August 17th, with jockeys racing it out in Tuscany’s medieval jewel, Siena.

With origins dating back to 1633, the Palio di Siena is Italy’s most famous historic horse race.

The event is a competition between the neighbourhoods of Siena, called contrade, with each contrada having its own coat of arms and patron saints. There are 17 contrade in Siena, but only 10 compete – this year’s competitors are; Chiocciola, Oca, Istrice, Selva, Lupa, Valdimontone, Onda, Nicchio, Leocorno and Civetta.

It occurs twice a year in Siena’s main square, Piazza del Campo. The first race took place this summer on July 2nd. Each Palio lasts a total of four days; three days of celebrations and the final day being the race itself.

The race consists of three laps of Piazza del Campo. The starting point (the mossa), is made up of two ropes in which the 10 participating horses and jockeys must wait in order. The horse, with or without a jockey, which completes the three laps first wins.

The prize is a large silk-painted canvas, known as the drappellone, which is designed and created every year by a different artist.

Over the centuries, the race has only been cancelled a handful of times, including for World War II and the Covid pandemic. 

In recent years the Palio has been the subject of protest from animal rights groups who state that the horses suffer during the competition. Preliminary investigations into a defamation trial began at the start of June this year, after Walter Caporale, the national president of animal rights group Animalisti Italiani (Italian Animalists) was accused of defining the event’s organisers as “sadistic and uncivilised.” The next hearing is set for February 28th 2025. 

The final race this year was supposed to take place on Friday, 16th August but it was cancelled due to heavy rain.

Watch the Palio di Siena live on television or via streaming on Italian channel LA7 from 4.45pm on Saturday.

Are you tuning in to the Palio di Siena? Let us know what you think about it in the comments below.

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