San Martino in Pensilis
The Cart Race: A Millenary Tradition
The Cart Race, or "La carrese" in Italian, is a millenary tradition that takes place every year on April 30th in San Martino in Pensilis, in the province of Campobasso. The race sees two or more carts pulled by pairs of oxen competing in honor of the patron saint of the town, St. Leo the Confessor. The Cart Race is distinguished by the colors of the carts: white and blue for the "young," yellow and red for the "young men," and yellow and green for the "very young," who have been participating in the competition since 2007.
But the Cart Race doesn't only take place in San Martino in Pensilis, but also in other towns in the region such as Chieuti, Ururi, and Portocannone.
The Races in Chieuti, Ururi, and Portocannone
In Chieuti, four carts compete: the Giovannissimi (white and blue), the Cittadella (yellow and red), Collefinocchio San Vito (white and green), and Collefinocchio Vaccareccia (white and green). In Ururi, three carts race along a 3.2-kilometer-long course: the Giovani (white and blue), the Giovanotti (yellow and red), and the Fedayn (yellow and green). Here, the race is distinguished by the last stretch of 200 meters of the course, which splits and then re-joins just before the finish line, creating suspense for the spectators. In Portocannone, three carts participate: the Giovani (white and blue), the Giovanotti (yellow and red), and the Xhuvnuttielvet (orange).
The Legend of St. Leo the Confessor
The Cart Race was born from the legend of St. Leo the Confessor, a Benedictine monk whose relics were found by local nobles during a hunting trip. The four nobles, to end their dispute over the relics, decided to put the monk's body on a cart pulled by pairs of oxen. The cart would stop in the territory of the place where the pairs of oxen were changed. Thus, Leo's cart stopped right where the church of San Martino in Pensilis now stands. The monk was proclaimed a saint and canonized under the name of St. Leo the Confessor.
The History of the Cart Race
From the relics of the Saint, the tradition of the Cart Race was born, an occasion where pilgrims would compete to see who arrived first at the church of St. Leo. Over time, the tradition was consolidated, culminating in the speed race held today. The Cart Race is a challenge between the different neighborhoods, who prepare for a long time to face the competition. The race becomes an occasion of celebration and pride for the entire community.
The Cart Race: A Living Tradition
The Cart Race is much more than a simple speed race because it represents the pride of the community and the millenary tradition of the territory. Participating in the Cart Race means honoring the memory of the Saint, but also celebrating the history and identity of a place with a cultural and historical heritage of great value. The Cart Race is a living tradition that continues to represent the most authentic soul of the region.
