The legend of Portocannone, a charming village of Arbëreshë origin located in Molise, tells a story filled with faith, hope and identity. The story goes that in the late 15th century, a group of Albanian settlers, fleeing the Ottoman Empire, landed on the coast of Molise in search of a new land to settle in. Bewildered and uncertain as to exactly where to establish their village, they decided to rely on divine will. They placed the effigy of Our Lady of Constantinople on a cart drawn by two oxen and let the animals, symbolically guided by the saint, indicate the site where to build the new settlement. The oxen stopped in a flat area, now the heart of the town, and it was there that the first houses and a church dedicated to Our Lady, who has since become the patron saint of the town, were built.
Today, this legend lives again each year in one of the community’s most heartfelt and participatory traditions: the Chariot Race. The event is held on the Monday following Pentecost and represents more than just a race: it is a moment of strong cultural identity and social cohesion. Three factions compete for victory: the Youth (white-sky blue), the Youth (yellow-red), and the Xhuvëntjelvët (orange). Each of these groups represents a different generational and territorial cross-section of the village. The wagons, decked out in the colors of their faction, are pulled by oxen along a roughly 3-kilometer route. The wagon that first crosses the arch of the Borgo di Costantinopoli church, a symbol of arrival but also of return to roots, wins.
The entire community enthusiastically participates in the event, which also attracts many expatriates who return especially to experience the unique atmosphere of the festival. Preparations begin weeks in advance, including rehearsals, training of the oxen and meetings between the factions. Anticipation grows day by day, culminating in the big race, a moment rich in excitement, folklore and spirituality. The roar of the carts, the choirs, the vibrant colors and the devotion to Our Lady of Constantinople transform Portocannone into a place where tradition and faith come together in an unforgettable collective experience.