Montone, Umbria

Donazione della Santa Spina

In 1473, Carlo Fortebraccio, a general of the Venetian militia, brought a thorn from Christ’s crown as a gift to the people of Montone.

“The year of grace, 1473, the Count Carlo de Fortebracci, fought in the service of the Serene Republic of Venice, recapturing the Mori from the confines of the Venetians and was in recompense given a thorn from the crown of Jesus Christ. He returned to Montone, where he donated this to the people for the devotion of all and placed it in the church of San Francesco….”

This event is celebrated yearly, with locals dressing in the costume of their Terziere, celebrations continue for a week, with scenes from medieval times, finishing with an archery contest, the palio and election of the true Castellana.

To conclude the celebrations there is a procession of the Sacred Thorn.