Every year on May 15, the medieval town of Gubbio, in the heart of Umbria, erupts into one of Italy’s most powerful and enduring celebrations: La Corsa dei Ceri. Three massive wooden structures — the Ceri — each topped with a statue of a saint, are carried at full speed through the narrow streets by teams of men known as ceraioli. The race is both physical and spiritual, a centuries-old ritual honoring Saint Ubaldo, Gubbio’s patron, that binds the entire community in a shared act of devotion and pride.
I have worked for several years photographing this event, running alongside the ceraioli and following them through every stage — from the preparations in the crowded piazzas to the chaotic, emotional ascent up Mount Ingino toward the Basilica of Sant’Ubaldo. The experience is as exhausting as it is exhilarating, revealing a tradition that transcends time.
The rite is not just the speed and spectacle, but the faces, gestures, and faith that sustain this ritual. La Corsa dei Ceri is, at its heart, a living expression of identity — a choreography of strength, devotion, and belonging that continues to define Gubbio’s soul.
