Dave and I often visit his family in Gubbio, Italia—the beautiful, medieval hill town of his grandparents. But this year’s visit was extra special.
Gubbio is a beloved town throughout Italy, as Italians cherish the story of il Lupo di Gubbio—the notorious wolf, who terrorized the village until tamed by St. Francis of Assisi.
I fondly recall Dave’s dad mentioning the Festa dei Ceri and Sant’Ubaldo. Finally, Dave and I were able to experience this centuries-old event, which happens only one day each year and has roots back to pagan rituals. The festival emotion of the people in this jewel of a town is not easily explained, but is best experienced.
The evening prior, Dave’s cousins treated us to a special bell-ringing, where we were granted permission to watch up at the bell tower. We curved up the many ancient steps to the rooftop of the Palazzo dei Consoli (years ago, I took a pic of Dave on those same steps; it’s his Facebook profile photo). As we waited, we watched people gathering in the piazza below. Then the campanari (the master bell ringers) climbed the tower. We marveled at these four men, who used their hands and feet to heave the massive bells into motion, swinging them in melodious tones. After their extended performance, they brought us up into the tower to touch the bells. It was all quite spectacular to us Californians.
After the grand bell-ringing, we descended the old, curved stairwell and stepped back into the streets. The whole town buzzed with excitement, and the festival eve celebration lasted well into the night, with lots of singing, wine, and food.
We walked through this perfect, medieval city, from street to street, ducking in and out of cantine (cellars) in people’s homes for another glass of wine and a bite to eat. In one courtyard, a small band accompanied a wo
man, who belted out Puccini’s “Nessun Dorma” while tables of free food and wine surrounded us. We meandered the streets to another little piazza for more wine and more food—all there in the spirit of celebration. We just don’t have such things whe
re we live.
We thoroughly enjoyed the local Sagrantino wine—a varietal that we must seek out at home. Our wine highlight: when cousins took us to meet some Y&T fans, who shared their own homemade, young but exceptional Sagrantino.
Another Menichetti (the real spelling, which Dave’s grandfather changed when he grew tired of Americans butchering the pronunciation) told us some great stories of how the biggest Y&T fan in town used to call him “Dave Meniketti” when they were growing up—so much so that some people in town thought his real name was Dave!
It was fun to see so many fans on this celebratory night stopping Dave (the real Dave Meniketti) on the streets to take a photo with him or just shake his hand.
The next morning, Dave’s cousins adorned us with the official red bandannas 
of the Festa dei Ceri. We were now officially part of the event. They led us back to the old town streets to watch the procession. People were feverish for their teams, which are a part of their family history. We followed the family team of Sant’Ubaldo into the grand piazza for the ceremonious start of the event. The piazza was rammed with spectators, and we all stood elbow to elbow.
After much pomp and circumstance, the historical details explained by the family surrounding us, the teams raised the massive Ceri, each topped with their team’s respective saint, circled the piazza, and off they went, winding through the ancient streets. It was certainly a sight to behold.
Before racing to the church at the mountaintop, each team paraded the Ceri through the streets, stopping throughout the day to allow people to touch for luck, and bowing their saint to those watching the festivities from windows above. Dave was fortunate enough to carry the Sant’Ubaldo Ceri with his cousins for a short distance. He said, “It was heavy!”
The afternoon had brought steady rain, so we returned to the house, changed our clothes, and rested briefly. The TV was on in the background with the event televised live, and Dave spotted us on Italian television! Also, the announcers mentioned Dave, as he was a special guest there for the weekend. Pretty cool!
After the closing ceremonies of the day, the Ceri saints were returned for the night to a little church in town, under which we were brought downstairs to see a real treat—the tomb of the wolf! Then, it was back to meandering the ancient streets, stopping here and there for more food and wine.
It was phenomenal to experience this centuries-old tradition that was so ingrained in the lives of Dave’s grandparents and ascendants. But words cannot aptly describe our experience. We feel so fortunate that Dave’s lovely family gave us the full experience, emotions and all.
This fabulous weekend came to a close the next night as we were formally invited as guests to a very special dinner with the mayor and the two captains from the festival. More local wine—Sagrantino (yay!) and Grechetto—and an amazing meal. During this special dinner, Dave was presented with two honors from Gubbio. What a wonderful end to three fabulous days. I only wish Dave’s dad and uncles could have been there with us. We’re ever so grateful for the family that remains, and those who contributed to an experience we’ll never forget.
Dave Meniketti, Festa dei Ceri, Gubbio, Gubbio Italy, il lupo di Gubbio, Italy, Menichetti, Palazzo dei Consoli, Sant’Ubaldo
Great story and thanks for sharing. Always loved Y&T, still do, always will. Daves playing and their unique sound has etched them in rock and roll forever.
Thanks for stopping by to read, Tommy…and for your kind words.
Jill….great story, happy for you and Dave , what a incredible experience. I have met you a few times in Phoenix during shows, I have been a life long fan of Y & T……and turned many a friends on to their music. As a lifelong guitar player myself…I am so glad to see Dave and the boys get some renewed recognition. He is my favorite player, so it’s cool things are cruising along nicely. It’s nice they made your two’s visit important…….hoping for new music soon……keep rockin!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thanks for the nice comments, Gary,and for stopping by to read. I aim to keep the boys busy! 🙂
Fabulous account of what was surely an event to remember. Love the old world traditions! Thanks for the photos and as always, a great story. See you on the road.
Mistreated
You’re welcome, Rudy. Thanks for reading, and glad you enjoyed it.
What a wonderful story, Jill, with the perfect ending! You must be so proud. I’ve been a Y&T fan since 1982 when i saw the boys supporting AC/DC at Birmingham NEC Arena in my UK homeland. I rushed out and bought the Black Tiger LP the very next day! I saw the band again at the Monsters of Rock festival, Castle Donington a couple of years later. I’ve still got the In Rock We Trust t-shirt i bought on the day! Doesn’t fit me any more, though!!
For the record, i believe Dave to be one of the best guitar players on the planet. His tone, his vibrato technique and his truly emotional playing make him one of the few guitarists who are instantly recognizable.
Also, another reason i was drawn to your post is that i have Italian ancestry too. My Mum is from Foggia in the South. She moved to England with her entire family when she was 9 years old. Dave’s ancestral home of Gubbio reminds me very much of Foggia. Anyway, thanks for taking the time to read this. I hope that you both get to enjoy many more trips to the “old country”.
Kind regards, Rob.
Thanks for dropping by for a read, Rob, and for your great comments about Dave. (Hey, I was there at Castle Donington in ’84!)
I hope you visit your mum’s homeland often. Such beautiful country. Of course, we adore the UK, as well . . . we all look forward to touring there every autumn.
What a great honor for you.
To see the town gather below you had to be unbelievable.
Italian traditions are so wonderful to experience.
Love it.
My family is from Abruzzo.
Family friends and food.
Life.
Yeah, watching people gather below for the bell-ringing was very cool. And then being amongst the throngs the next day at the festival was like nothing we’ve ever experienced.
I hope you’re able to visit your ancestral home. I cherish our annual visits there.
Thanks for stopping by, Eric!
Hi Jill
This is so cool! I love family history. Just to be able to walk in the footsteps of our ancestors is a great experience. The celebrations in these little small towns of the world are amazing. Good food, wine and a great time with great people.
Thanks for sharing!
Kenny C
I agree wholeheartedly, Kenny. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and giving this post a read.
That was very nice. The lifestyle is so nice, especially in the small towns with rich family history. I grew up in Europe in a small town and do miss the traditions. I’m glad you and Dave were able to experience the whole package….see you at a show…..
I agree, Sven. There’s a special charm to those small towns. Thanks for dropping by my site and taking a moment to comment.
Thanks for sharing story – Now I want to go there to visit and find relatives
I’ve been a Y&T fan since our San Leandro high school days
You should! Thanks for stopping by to read, Leticia.
That is amazing! I am glad that you both got to experience that. Thank you for sharing this with us…Love!!
Thanks, Tara. My pleasure.
Hi Jill, what a fabulous event for you and Dave. All those people turning up and the ringing of the bell. I am sure Dave has a song brewing about the momentous climb up those stairs with the bell sounding out its anthem. Italian people are family orientated your writing and pictures painted a wonderful insight to this . Regards David
Ha, you never know! Thanks for reading, David.
What a great read. My parents just got back from visiting family in Italy in April and had a wonderful time. My wife and I have had the privilege to talk to Dave at Testaroaa Winery about Italy and hope we can someday make it there ourselves. It’s a alway great talking to you both and although we look up to Dave as fans you both have always treated us as family. Y & T will always have a special place in our heart. Keep rockin’ and making us proud to be fans. \m/ ❤️🎼🎸
You should make a point to do it, Mike. It’s a beautiful country. Thanks for stopping by my blog and taking the time to comment.
Great to have an insight on Dave’s family in Italy. Driven thru Northern Italy in the 90’s but would love to visit there sometime and soak up the Italian culture. Of course, Northeast England (Newcastle) will always be home to the Y&T crew. Thanks Jill for sharing stories and knowledge of a much loved band.
Aw, you’re very welcome. Yes, Newcastle is a special place for Y&T. Thanks for stopping by for a read! 😃