Carrese of Portocannone — Race of the Carts of Our Lady of Constantinople

The Carrese, the soul of Portocannone

The Carrese of Portocannone is much more than a race: it is the identity heart of an Arbëreshë village in the province of Campobasso, rebuilt in the 15th century by Albanian refugees following Giorgio Castriota Skanderbeg. Tradition tells that, upon arriving on the Adriatic coast and undecided on where to stop, the exiles entrusted the choice to a pair of oxen pulling a cart with the effigy of Our Lady of Constantinople: where the animals stopped, the village was founded. Since then, the cart race renews that founding myth every year.

The race on the Vallone delle Canne

The competition takes place on a track of about 3.4 kilometres along the Vallone delle Canne, with carts pulled by pairs of oxen at full speed and thousands of spectators crowded along the route. Historically, three teams compete — the Giovani (Youngsters), the Giovanotti (Young Men), and the Xhuventjelvet (Young Boys) — each with their own colours and supporters. The winning cart earns the honour of carrying the sacred icon of the Madonna in the procession the following day.

Between faith, sport, and Arbëreshë identity

The Carrese is run on the Tuesday after Pentecost and inextricably links religious devotion, competitiveness, and community pride. It is one of the most heartfelt events in lower Molise, capable of drawing emigrants and descendants of the Albanian community scattered around the world to Portocannone. For the visitor, it is an opportunity to witness an ancient and vibrant ritual in a "painted village" that proudly preserves its Arbëreshë language and culture.