Traditional race in Barban,Istria
Traditional race in Barban,Istria- 20.08.2026. - 23.08.2026.
- 1 camera online
- 0 camera offline
- 48.62K View(s)
The race is the only old knight's game in Istria which, in addition to being the guardian of tradition and culture, has also become a real attraction, combining horsemanship and sportsmanship.
It is a popular equestrian competition launched in 1976 in Barban, modeled on the knightly competition that was held in that city at the end of the 17th century at the free fair on the feast of Pentecost. The oldest surviving record of the Race dates back to 1696, and the competitors were mostly nobles and citizens of Istrian towns who owned horses and knightly equipment. Each competitor participated in 3 races, trying to gallop with a spear to pierce a ring composed of two cross-connected metal circular rings. Since then, it has soon grown into an annual sports and entertainment event. Its organization has been taken care of by the Ring Race Society since 1979. The race has become a trademark of Barban and one of the most famous summer events in Istria.
It is a popular equestrian competition launched in 1976 in Barban, modeled on the knightly competition that was held in that city at the end of the 17th century at the free fair on the feast of Pentecost. The oldest surviving record of the Race dates back to 1696, and the competitors were mostly nobles and citizens of Istrian towns who owned horses and knightly equipment. Each competitor participated in 3 races, trying to gallop with a spear to pierce a ring composed of two cross-connected metal circular rings. Since then, it has soon grown into an annual sports and entertainment event. Its organization has been taken care of by the Ring Race Society since 1979. The race has become a trademark of Barban and one of the most famous summer events in Istria.
Today's competitors - Barban knights must in three races, in less than 12 seconds to overcome a track as long as 150 meters and hit the ring with a spear. 16 horsemen in the race wear Barban folk costumes.
To be able to follow the race is this way of scoring: A goal in the middle carries 3 points (points), a goal in the field above carries two, below the middle one, and in the side fields half a point. The rider who wins the most points in three races becomes the winner of the Race.
This year's 51st Ring Race in Barban brings two big jubilees: 330 years since the first Race and 50 years of reconstruction.
The four-day program begins on August 20th with the 1st Balinjerada na prstenac and the Barban Local Committees' five-a-side football tournament and the presentation of the Barban Records on the Placa. On Friday, as every year, the ceremonial flag-raising ceremony for the Trka na prstenac is scheduled, with a parade and performances by the Barban Cultural Association and the Barban Majorettes, followed by the traditional briškula tournament and an entertainment program on the plaza with the Groovers and Alka Vujica. Saturday brings the 13th Robotrka na prstenac, fun games for children, a pljočkanje and fjondami tournament in Gradišće, the 32nd Trka za vitica, followed by a musical program - Jole, Ivan Licul and the Alfa time band. Sunday, August 23rd is reserved for the central event - the 51st Trka na prstenac is scheduled at 5 p.m., and in the evening there will be entertainment with Tajči, Skupina Tequilla and DJ Kriza.
