Every year, the Sunday after Easter (weather permitting), the nearby tiny town of Fermignano celebrates its independence from the Duke of Montefeltro in 1607 with what else, but the Palio della Rana -a frog race.The locals are dressed in incredibly detailed classic medieval costumes - with falconers, live music, fireworks, tons of food, ancient craftsmen and a parade through town with lords & ladies, knights, flag bearing attendants & dramatic drums!
Young men run wheelbarrows through town each with a single frog on it. The runners represent the five districts of the town.
If the frog jumps off, you must stop pick him up & keep on running. There is a town medical specialist that examines the frogs before & after the race to make sure they have not been tampered with. Oh yes- this is taken very seriously!
(Fermignano, Le Marche)The "guest" of honor is also on every menu in town - during & after the race fried & porchetta-style frogs legs are available to munch on!
Fascinating! Thanks for a most interesting blog and for sharing some fab photos. I've really enjoyed browsing and look forward to your future posts.
ReplyDeleteRegards from Cape Town,
Pierre
Sounds like such fun and a wonderful photography opportunity. Wish I could go.
ReplyDeleteHisterical! I wonder just how that medic determines if the frogs have been tampered with? Hmmmm? I bet he/she could easily be "bought" for a few lire! Looking forward to a visit in early November. I guess any frog that just sat there and did not jump was stoned or too scared to move! Ciao, Harold
ReplyDeleteSo you carry the frog, you pick him up if jumps off the barrow, a doctor checks on his health at the end, ... and then you cut his legs off and fry him in a pan ... imagine the frog would have prefered to take his chances with the Duke of Montefeltro
ReplyDeleteMmmm...fried frogs!!
ReplyDeleteWish I was there to celebrate
Love, Meg