The grandissima passione of the Italians headlines every one of their astounding festivals. And if you’re in Italy on May 15th, don’t miss the Corsa dei Ceri festival in medieval hilltown gem, Gubbio.
That “Race of the Candlesticks” is in honor of mid-12th-c. bishop, Saint Ubaldo, patron saint of Gubbio buried in the Basilica di Sant’Ubaldo perched on the summit of the mountain, Mt. Ingino, backdropping Gubbio. The race of the Ceri – honoring Sant’Ubaldo – starts in Gubbio and concludes up at his church. Note the mountaintop Basilica towering over Gubbio in the photo below:
….and here is the scene on the morning of May 15th as many arrive for the Ceri festival – and do note the yellow and royal blue shirts (and read on, per favore!):
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On May 15th, the eugubiniof all ages unite in fervent passion to celebrate Sant’Ubaldo:
Emotions are palpable all day and you’ll latch on to the passion as soon as you arrive in the morning.
Bands play the Gubbio inno (hymn) and other catchy melodies sparking emotions as eugubini in bright yellow, royal blue or black shirts (with wide red sashes at the waist) follow the bands, arms linked. Ubaldari (those emotionally linked to Sant’Ubaldo, patron saint of Gubbio – and patron of stonemasons) wear bright yellow. Sangiorgiari (devoted to San Giorgio, patron saint of merchants) sport royal blue shirts where as those in black are santantoniari and St. Anthony is the patron saint of both farmers and students. The ceraiaoli – those men who will carry the Ceri in the race up the mountain – are not the only ones wearing the shirts of three colors: women, children, teens, too, proudly dress in the color of their preferred saintl
All day in Gubbio, the Feast of Sant’Ubaldo is celebrated in appassioned joy in preparation for the early evening race run in Sant’Ubaldo’s honor: la Corsa dei Ceri (“Race of the Candlesticks”) directed towards the mountaintop Basilica di Sant’Ubaldo, The huge wooden pyramidical structures symbolize the candles carried in the evening 14th-c Luminaria procession – those candles lighting the way to the Tomb of the Saint.
Feel the passion in my videos of the Ceri (and you’ll find many more on Anne Robichaud YouTube):
This May 15th, too, , the passion of all ages at the Ceri festival was evident:
We simply can’t imagine being anywhere else but in Gubbio on MAY 15th.
A few blog notes might give you an idea of why:
https://www.annesitaly.com/2021/03/04/corsa-dei-ceri-gubbio/
….and for other notes, simply SEARCH “Gubbio Ceri” here:https://www.annesitaly.com/blog/
