"Lo Spino" Speed, Dust and Scenery on the Tuscan Umbrian Border

The weekend of the 15th May will see the start of "Lo Spino" this is the 37th time this annual up hill speed race has been run. Competitors, in powerful, modified sports cars or special production cars will thunder their way, through some of Italy’s most beautiful mountain scenery in search of victory. Starting from the little town of Pieve Santo Stefano they will climb 1000 metres, over 7Km in under 3 minutes against the clock, on a steep, twisting course towards La Verna.

The crash barriers and bleachers are in place, the navigators signs indicating the direction and degree of turn have been put up, all that is needed now are the cars and crowds. The first event was run back in 1965 and won by Sangry La in an Alfa Romao TZ1, averaging 102Km/h. At the end of the 60’s its fame was already established and over 6,000 spectators made their way to this remote Tevere valley to watch the spectacle. The fastest ascent was by Parschal Irlando in 1992, driving a BMW with an average speed of 143Km/h.

Safety concerns in 2002 however saw the introduction of measures to ensure the well being of both spectators and drives, the course was shortened from 12Km to seven and modifications to cars were made to limit their speed. Fortunately this has not dampened the race for either the drivers or those watching. It is still as exciting to watch the cars speed their way around this torturous route with breath taking views all about.

If you can’t make the trip to the Upper Tiber Valley, then check out this clip on Youtube to experience the thril from the drivers vantage point. Click here.

Castello to Rome by Canoe

The 25th April saw the start of the 30th annual descent of the River Tiber from Citta di Castello to Rome. This now internationally acknowledged event, is the highlight of the canoeing calendar, especially for the clubs of Castello and Milan whose members made the first trip back in 1969.

Over the intervening years the event was run intermittently but in 1982, canoeist Francisco Bartolozzi, organised the festival for the first time and although the trip was undertaken by a small group, it assured the descents future. The following year there were more participants as well as an accompanying Army lorry used to transport the canoeist belongings, tents and support equipment. Before this all equipment was carried in the canoes and often ended up soaking wet.

1984 saw the competition come of age and attracted over 200 registrations and also have two Army trucks in attendance. Now it is recognised throughout the canoeing world and entrants arrive from all over Europe, include individual professional competitors, family groups, with ages from 5 to 80 years old.



The week long trip covering 25 -30 Km each day, has a troop of supports who follow the competitors, some on foot, by bicycle or in one of the support vehicles. They help at the difficult sections porting canoes around weirs and dams, setting up camp with its famous field kitchen.

The event also has an ecological aspect to it, helping to monitor the rivers course, erosion and pollution. Food cooked during the week uses locally produced ingredients and encourages people to examine the relationships between man and the environment. It allows people to renew old friendships, appreciate the beautiful landscape, towns and villages along the river and experience a tranquil, leisurely trip to Rome.

For anyone interested in cheering on our intrepid adventurers, they will be starting from the Ponte del Tevere, Citta di Castello on 25/4, Umbertide 26/4, Deruta 27/4, Fratta Todina 28/4, Civitella del Lago 29/4, Nazzano 30/4, arriving at Ponte Milvio, Rome 1 May.

Festa-bruary

Middle of Winter but there are still a
number of plays and live music
concerts around the area, the biggest
event has to be the Carnivale in Piazza
where the children of the area get to
dress up and parade around the town.




1st - Tuoro, Teatro Comuniale, Silent Movies of Buster Keaton
7th – C.di C, Il Fondino “Rockin Opposition”, music and poems by Facopo Falchi
15th – Piazza Metteotti, Antique Market
15th - Umbertide, Teatro dei Riuniti, Production “Era una notte calda d’inverno”
17th – C.di C, Teatro Comuniale, Production of “Viaggiatori di pianura Acque mobile”
22nd - C. di C. Festa di Carnevale, lots of fun for the kids.
22nd - C. di C. Teatro Comuniale, Production of “Clash to me”
22nd – Gubbio Monthly market of locally produced, ecological goods.
27th - C. di C. Teatro Comuniale, Production of “U ciclopu” directed by V. Pirrotta.

Exhibitions throughout the Upper Tiber Valley

Alfredo Santarelli 1874 – 1957, Ceramicist, C. di S. Francesco, Gualdo Tadino.