Gubbio’s Corsa dei Ceri, the Race of the Candles, is held every year on 15th May…you still have time to get there. It is probably one of the most amazing events you will ever see. The origins of the festival date back to the middle of the 12th century.
The name is a bit misleading since the Ceri are not candles at all, but 3 huge wooden constructions about 7 metres tall. They are octagonal in shape and are fixed to a wooden base born on the shoulders of the Ceraioli, the carriers.
Three teams will carry, while running, the Ceri, with statues of either St Ubaldo, St Giorgio or St Anthony fixed to the top, from the lower area of Gubbio all the way to the top of Mount Ingino behind the town…I told you it was amazing.
We went last year and had a great time. Click here to see the detailed post I wrote about the weird and wonderful race of the candles.
Gubbio is a great town in Umbria to visit anyway, but the Corsa dei Ceri is something you should see at least once in your life.