Chariot races, celebrated between March and June, have their roots in ancient rituals related to nature and its renewal. The transition from winter to spring aroused awe and fear, making celebrations necessary to awaken cosmic forces and ensure the rebirth of nature. Although the presence of this tradition in countries of Albanian origin may suggest Balkan influences, numerous accounts point to an indigenous, perhaps Samnite, origin.
The Ururi race is linked to the feast of the Wooden Cross of Jesus, brought to Italy by St. Helena. The event is preceded by heartfelt preparation, culminating on the eve of the race with the singing of the carrese, passed down orally. The protagonists of the race are the horsemen, oxen, carts and parties distinguished by colors: white-sky blue for the Giovani, yellow-red for the Giovanotti and, in some cases, white-green for the Cittadella. Each party maintains the two-wheeled carts and prepares the oxen, which are trained exclusively for the race.
Party membership is determined more by affective and identifying motivations than by urban or social divisions. The starting rules vary in different countries, but in Ururi the day of the race begins with the blessing of the carts, riders and oxen in front of the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie. The carts are arranged at the start according to the order of arrival from the previous year, with a distance of 20-25 meters from each other. The race runs for 4 km, from the Pantoni farm to the church of Santa Maria delle Grazie.
The atmosphere is charged with tension: the oxen, held back by a group of people, are let off at the signal, sprinting furiously. The route is enlivened by the shouts of supporters and the excitement of spectators, who watch along the streets or from balconies. The winning float is the one that first takes half a helm onto Commercial Street, the alley leading to the church. The next day, it has the honor of carrying the Holy Wood of the Cross of Jesus through the streets of the town, symbolically closing the celebration.