Running Race from Sant’Ermo to Casciana Terme

The race takes place on 6 April in Piazza della Chiesa in Sant’Ermo, a hilltop village known for its architectural treasures such as the Church of Sant’Ermete, but also for its civil constructions such as the Cinitolo, a large water reservoir at the foot of the village, Villa Upezzinghi, home to the Volpi Winery, and the Sky Bench, a giant bench designed by artist Alberto Cappiello.

The 50 km long route involves the towns of Sant’Ermo, Casciana Terme and Lari.

The wash houses are very old. Originally they drew water from a spring, still active today, which provided drinking water to all the families in the village. Then the public service took over and the wash houses continued to be used for a few more years, until the water reached all the houses. To wash, a stone cistern filled naturally from the gushing water, and underneath two basins, one larger and one smaller, allowed the washerwomen to wash and rinse the clothes. The used water was channeled and dispersed. Above the wash houses there was a field exposed to the sun’s rays, where clean clothes were left to dry. The wash houses are at least 500 meters away from the village, and the women walked there both in summer and winter, with enormous baskets on their heads.