Pro Loco APS · Third Sector organisation
Ente Valorizzazione Suvereto
Who we are
The Ente Valorizzazione Suvereto is an association founded more than 50 years ago from local citizens' commitment and love for their village.
Since then it has worked to promote the area, safeguard its traditions, enhance its culture and support the events that bring the village to life throughout the year.
The Board of Directors, elected on 19 May 2025 and currently in office, is composed as follows:
- Nocera Chiara — President
- Raspanti Sara — Vice President
- Rossi Olga — Secretary
- Monetta Martina — Board member
- Pazzagli Lorenzo — Board member
- Santucci Derio — Board member
- Tucci Alessio — Board member
What we do
Together with other associations, producers, local businesses and the community, the Ente Valorizzazione Suvereto promotes the development of the village, strengthens a sense of belonging and creates opportunities for meeting and participation open to everyone.
It organises festivals, cultural initiatives and events that enhance the area, its traditions and Suvereto's identity.
How to join
Becoming a member means taking an active part in the life of the Association, contributing to decisions and supporting initiatives organised throughout the year.
Members may attend general meetings and offer their ideas, skills and time.
Before applying, please read the Statute here.
Joining is simple
- Download the membership form here.
- Complete it and send it to prolocosuvereto@gmail.com.
- You will receive the outcome of your application and instructions for paying the annual membership fee.
Alternatively, call 328 8009053 to arrange a meeting or request more information.
Support us
Donate your
5 × 1000
to Ente Valorizzazione
Suvereto
On your Italian tax return, in the section for allocating the 5 per mille, enter the EVS tax code and sign: a simple gesture that supports events and initiatives for the village.
Our history
The Ente Valorizzazione Suvereto was not born by chance. Even decades before 1968, the year it took its current form, the village was among the liveliest — as older residents recall — with many associations (there were even two brass bands between the wars, the "Verdi" and "Aurora"), a great carnival, the May singing tradition and the Befana celebration, a football team, cycling, and even theatre with local actors in a venue like the legendary "Sala Italia", next to today's EVS headquarters, with endless shows and dances. The sea was reached by Gigi's or Enrico's carriage, like a Far West stagecoach…
Without cars, TV, mobile phones and video games, ingenuity was essential and social life flourished. After the first post-war wave of enthusiasm, Suvereto gradually saw these initiatives fade and even amateur football came to an end. The Rome 1960 Olympics and Italy's sporting triumphs rekindled spirits: torch, tripod, flags and national anthems were recreated locally, with athletics races on the Pian della Fonte or through the historic centre, despite the lack of sports facilities.
From this kind of "Suvereto Olympics" came the "Comitato Festeggiamenti" — the forerunner of today's EVS — which revived the May patronal festivals and the fair with an ever richer programme, dances at the "Piccadilly" (now a supermarket), fireworks and more, funded by a door-to-door collection in every family. Other local associations gradually reappeared and grew in number and quality.
The "Comitato Festeggiamenti" continued through most of the 1960s until Adolfo Bellatalla proposed raising standards: qualifying events and extending them through the year, focused on promoting Suvereto, its history and remarkable monuments, food and wine excellence, the environment and tourism as national and international connections improved.
On this basis, in 1968 the "Comitato per i festeggiamenti e la Valorizzazione di Suvereto" was founded: some fifty young organisers took up the challenge. The first "Sagra del Cinghiale" followed, then summer evenings — unthinkable until then — medieval festivals and countless other initiatives under the name that became "Ente Valorizzazione Suvereto".
An important result of the last fifty years has been widespread awareness of the village's tourist and economic potential and of Suvereto's historic landscape, to be safeguarded for its cultural value and as an essential basis for the development of a small centre like ours.
Barrel Palio
Suvereto's Barrel Palio is one of the most representative traditions of the local area. Teams of pushers from the districts and hamlets compete along the evocative cobbled streets of the historic centre.
The race centres on a wooden barrel weighing around 500 kg, which pairs of pushers must roll along the course in the shortest time possible, keeping control and trying to outpace their rivals. A spectacular competition combining strength, technique, endurance and community spirit.
Every year the Palio is held on two separate occasions, both deeply linked to the history and identity of Suvereto.
Santa Croce Palio
The Santa Croce Palio is run in honour of Suvereto's patron saint in May and is one of the village's oldest traditions. Celebrations dedicated to the Holy Cross have roots stretching back through the centuries and are documented in the ancient Community Statutes.
Devotion to the Holy Crucifix has accompanied the village's history for generations, giving rise to a festival that unites religious feeling with popular celebrations and still involves the entire community today.
The Santa Croce Palio remains one of the most heartfelt events for local residents, keeping alive the bond between history, tradition and belonging to the area.
Emperor's Palio
The Emperor's Palio is held in memory of Henry VII of Luxembourg, Holy Roman Emperor, whose remains rested in Suvereto between 1313 and 1315 before being transferred to Pisa.
Since 1994 this race has been held at night on 13 August each year, offering a particularly evocative spectacle that draws thousands of visitors and tourists every year. Qualifying rounds and finals take place through the lit streets of the historic centre, creating a unique atmosphere that combines sport, history and tradition.
The event is one of the most anticipated of Suvereto's summer and an important opportunity to promote the village's historic and cultural heritage.
A living tradition
The Barrel Palio is not just a sporting competition but a collective heritage that tells the story of Suvereto, its strong bond with its roots and the community's sense of belonging.
Every race is the result of the commitment, passion and pride of the teams taking part, offering emotions that involve residents and visitors alike and turning the historic centre into a unique stage where tradition and spectacle meet.
The event is organised by the Ente Valorizzazione Suvereto with the essential contribution of the Palio Barrel Pushers' Group, which through training, dedication and team spirit keeps one of the most authentic expressions of Suvereto's identity alive throughout the year.
Thanks to the volunteers and the passion of everyone who helps make it happen, the Barrel Palio continues to be one of the most heartfelt and well-attended events in village life, uniting history, sport and community.
To follow the Pushers' Group activities, training sessions and updates up close, you can find them on social media:
EVS office
- AddressPiazza S. Francesco, 5 57028 Suvereto (LI), Italy
- Phone+39 328 8009053