La Botte dei Canonici

La Botte dei Canonici (cannon’s barrel) is believed to be the largest wine barrel of the medieval era.

While local historical records first mention the barrel in the early 16th century, the barrel is likely older. According to a local historian, it was built to serve the community by storing wine during years when vineyards had overabundant harvests. The barrel can hold over 20,000 liters, which is the equivalent of 387 normal-sized wine barrels. 

La Botte dei Canonici's construction is rather different than that of today's barrels. Rather than metal staves, its constructors used external wooden supports to keep it together. The barrel is filled via a hole in the floor above it.

Due to the risk of spoiling an enormous amount of wine if a mishap were to occur, the barrel has only been used twice in modern times, both in the early 20th century. It was refurbished in 1978.