The Lioness of Italy cradle of the Red Arrow
Since 1927, the 1000 Miglia has been identified with the city of its origins: Brescia. The place that is past, present and future, soul and heart of the race, starting point and finishing line since its first edition.
Brescia and the four musketeers
The Lioness of Italy owes a lot to Giovanni Canestrini, Franco Mazzotti, Aymo Maggi and Renzo Castagneto, the ‘Four Musketeers’ who gave life to an event that is still known today as the ‘most beautiful race in the world’.
A story that began in Milan with the lighting of the first spark in the winter of 1926, and grew over time through evolutions and extraordinary moments, to arrive at the present day. Thanks to the founders, since 1927 the places and the name of the city have been inextricably linked to the Red Arrow.
Renzo Castagneto, the Deus ex machina of the 1000 Miglia
Since the end of the 1920s, Renzo Castagneto, from his office as Director of the Automobile Club of Brescia, held the reins of a huge organisation, 1.600 km long, maintaining contact with car manufacturers and drivers from all over the world. In spite of having a character that was anything but easy, the organiser was held in high regard, maintaining good relations with everyone, and displaying a remarkable insight for the tastes of the general public.
Castagneto’s unquestionable organizational skills demonstrated with the 1000 Miglia led him, over time to the helm of the Targa Florio, the Grand Prix of Italy, the Giro d’Italia cycling race and the Tripoli-Tobruk, but is to Brescia and its race that his name remains tied.
The set-up and the public of Brescia
Castagneto had been active so that Brescia could offer collateral events in support of the Race, decorating the city with the colors of the Red Arrow, displayed on flags, banners, torches and lighting.
The setting up of Piazza della Vittoria, with its umbrellas and chatacteristic wooden barriers, was a great success, to the point that the square was the most photographed Italian in those years, adding lustre and fame to the city and to the 1000 Miglia.
The citizens could live the race from far away thanks to the loudspeakers that diffused the live coverage and to the scoreboards that showed the classifications on Corso Zanardelli. Over the years, other events took place in the city, from competitions to children’s parades, exhibitions, minting of medals, the issuing of postage stamps, even to the “1000 Miglia for carrier pigeons”. The atmosphere created by Castagneto, to which the international character of the city’s guests contributed, made Brescia, for a week, what the “director” wanted: the Capital of world motoring.
Sealing Ceremony between 1927 and 1931
One of the most representative places of the Red Arrow is Piazza Vittoria, where the sealing ceremony still takes place today.
Since work on the square only began in 1929, the first editions of the Race were prepared in the “enclosure of the Wührer Brewery”, not far from Viale Venezia, which has always hosted the start of 1000 Miglia.
In 1931, or perhaps already in 1930, probably due to the need for more space because of the higher number of participants, the sealing ceremony was moved to the Foro Boario, south of Viale Venezia.
The origin of Piazza Vittoria
It didn’t take too long for the sealing ceremony to find its final setting. The works on of Piazza Vittoria lasted less than three years and the intervention, which radically changed the face of the heart of the city, represented the final solution to problems of space related to the preparatory stages of the 1000 Miglia.
At the end of the works and without waiting for the official inauguration, held in November 1932 on the occasion of Benito Mussolini’s visit, in April Renzo Castagneto moved here the sealing ceremony, showcase and catwalk for the famous people, not only from the automotive world, who arrived in Brescia.
Bruno Boni: the Mayor of the 1000 Miglia
After World War II, the then Mayor of Brescia, realized the importance and usefulness of an event of worldwide interest for the community, thus becoming one of the most fervent supporters of the 1000 Miglia in Italy and working alongside Renzo Castagneto in the organization of the race.
So, while Castagneto, on the wooden platform of Viale Venezia, waved the checkered flag of the arrival, Boni waved the flag at the start. The Mayor of the 1000 Miglia, instead of the national flag, usually used for the start of the races, opted to wave a white and blue flag with the colours of the city.
Continue reading the history of the 1000 Miglia
Explore the next chapters to discover the main events that have made the 1000 Miglia car race known all over the world: from the origins to the latest editions of the regularity race.
millemigliaofficial
The 1000 Miglia goes to school, the project that tells the story of the “Most Beautiful Race in the World” to new generations, is back for its third edition!
This year, over 2,000 students took part with great enthusiasm!
🏆 Who won the competition for the best artistic project?
The Scuola Audiofonetica in Brescia, with an original proposal, divided into three different artistic fields:
🎨 The lower secondary school interpreted the spirit of the 1000 Miglia through painting, while the primary school created two projects:
📮 “Cartoline on the road” – postcards made unique by the creativity of the pupils, who will travel with the 1000 Miglia 2025, collecting stamps from the places they visit.
🚘 “Tutti pronti” – sixty original pieces shaped and painted by the pupils, depicting cars.
Stay tuned to discover the winning design of the second edition of The 1000 Miglia goes to school, which will be unveiled during the 1000 Miglia 2025 and reproduced on the project’s commemorative materials.
Thank you to all the students ❤️
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La 1000 Miglia va a scuola, il progetto che racconta la storia della “Corsa più bella del mondo” alle nuove generazioni tornerà per la sua terza edizione!
Quest’anno, oltre 2.000 studenti hanno partecipato con grande entusiasmo!
🏆 A vincere il concorso per il miglior progetto artistico realizzato?
La Scuola Audiofonetica di Brescia, con una proposta originale, declinata in tre differenti campi artistici:
🎨 La scuola secondaria di primo grado ha intrepretato lo spirito della 1000 Miglia con la pittura, mentre la scuola primaria ha dato vita a due interventi:
📮 “Cartoline on the road” – cartoline rese uniche dalla creatività degli alunni che viaggeranno con la 1000 Miglia 2025 collezionando i timbri delle località attraversate.
🚘 “Tutti pronti” – sessanta pezzi originali plasmati e dipinti dagli alunni, raffiguranti delle automobili.
Stay tuned per scoprire il disegno vincitore della seconda edizione de La 1000 Miglia va a scuola che verrà svelato in occasione della 1000 Miglia 2025 e verrà riprodotto sui materiali celebrativi del progetto.
Grazie a tutti gli studenti ❤️
May 6
millemigliaofficial
The @vredestein crews drove through the breathtaking landscapes of Campania, Basilicata and Puglia: with Quatrac Classic and Sprint Classic tyres, every kilometre was pure driving pleasure for them 🔥
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Gli equipaggi targati @vredestein hanno attraversato i paesaggi mozzafiato di Campania, Basilicata e Puglia: con pneumatici Quatrac Classic e Sprint Classic, ogni chilometro è stato per loro puro piacere di guida🔥
Apr 30
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@jpmorganprivatebank`s journey with 1000 Miglia continues 🤝🏻
The world leader in private banking services confirmed its invaluable presence at the debut of the #1000MigliaExperienceItaly by dedicating an award to the best crew in the Time Trials at Marina d’Arechi.
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Il viaggio di @jpmorganprivatebank con 1000 Miglia continua 🤝🏻
Il leader mondiale nei servizi di private banking ha confermato la sua preziosa presenza all’esordio della #1000MigliaExperienceItaly dedicando un premio al miglior equipaggio classificato nelle Prove Cronometrate nella località di Marina d’Arechi.
Apr 28
millemigliaofficial
@chopard, a 1000 Miglia partner since 1988, celebrates the winners of the first edition of the #1000MigliaExperienceItaly with a symbol of excellence: the MILLE MIGLIA GTS CHRONO watch.
An award that tells a story of passion, expertise and tradition, destined to endure over time like the memory of this extraordinary victory 🏆✨
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@chopard, partner 1000 Miglia dal 1988, celebra i vincitori della prima edizione della #1000MigliaExperienceItaly con un simbolo di eccellenza: l’orologio MILLE MIGLIA GTS CHRONO.
Un premio che racconta una storia di passione, competenza e tradizione, destinato a restare nel tempo come il ricordo di questa straordinaria vittoria 🏆✨
Apr 23
millemigliaofficial
Happy Easter from all of us at Team 1000 Miglia! 🪺
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Buona Pasqua da tutti noi del Team 1000 Miglia! 🪺
Apr 18
millemigliaofficial
The beauty of the places travelled through by the #1000MigliaExperienceItaly2025 is unparalleled 🫶🏻
In this first edition, there were 4 Unesco World Heritage sites:
📍 Amalfi Coast,
📍 i Sassi di Matera,
📍 the Trulli in Alberobello and
📍 Castel Del Monte
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La bellezza delle località attraversate dalla #1000MigliaExperienceItaly2025 non ha eguali 🫶🏻
In questa prima edizione sono stati 4 i siti Patrimonio Mondiale Unesco:
📍 Costiera Amalfitana,
📍 i Sassi di Matera,
📍 i Trulli di Alberobello e
📍 Castel Del Monte
Apr 14
millemigliaofficial
The #1000MigliaExperienceItaly2025 has ended, having taken the crews approximately 560 km from west to east across southern Italy, linking the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic coasts.
Among the unrivalled landscapes of the places they drove through, the drivers challenged each other in exciting sporting activities.
Special thanks to all the Partners who supported us in this first edition of the race 💫
@chopard @jpmorganprivatebank @vredestein @the_fast_lane_club @maldarizziautomotive @thehoutkampcollection @villatrasqua @franciacorta @acquadolomia @poltronafrauofficial
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Si è conclusa #1000MigliaExperienceItaly2025 che ha portato gli equipaggi a percorrere circa 560km da Ovest a Est attraverso il Sud Italia, unendo la costa tirrenica a quella adriatica.
Tra i paesaggi ineguagliabili delle località attraversate, i driver si sono sfidati in avvincenti attività sportive.
Un ringraziamento speciale a tutti i Partner che ci hanno sostenuto in questa prima edizione della gara 💫
@chopard @jpmorganprivatebank @vredestein @the_fast_lane_club @maldarizziautomotive @thehoutkampcollection @villatrasqua @franciacorta @acquadolomia @poltronafrauofficial
Apr 13
millemigliaofficial
Alfonso Facchini and Luigia Olivetti on board their faithful 1938 BMW 328 raised the trophy of the first edition of #1000MigliaExperienceItaly 🏆
🥈Flavio Bettinaldi and Sonia Facchini in a 1939 MG TB.
🥉Fabio Vergamini and Anna Maria Fabrizi in a 2017 Ferrari 488 GTB.
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Alfonso Facchini e Luigia Olivetti a bordo della loro fedele BMW 328 del 1938 alzano il trofeo della prima edizione della #1000MigliaExperienceItaly 🏆
🥈Flavio Bettinaldi e Sonia Facchini a bordo di una MG TB del 1939.
🥉Fabio Vergamini e Anna Maria Fabrizi a bordo di una Ferrari 488 GTB del 2017.
Apr 13
millemigliaofficial
The last few kilometres of the race before arriving in the Apulian capital saw the crews pass a Passage Control and visit the last Unesco site crossed by the race: Castel del Monte 🏰
In Bari, the crews took part in the final Time Control, which marked the end of the first edition of the #1000MigliaExperienceItaly 🏁
Stay tuned to find out who will claim the top position on the podium 🏆
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Gli ultimi km della gara prima dell’arrivo nel capoluogo pugliese hanno visto gli equipaggi stampare un Controllo Timbro e visitare l’ultimo sito Unesco attraversato dalla gara: Castel del Monte 🏰
A Bari, gli equipaggi hanno effettuato l’ultimo Controllo Orario che ha sancito la fine della prima edizione della #1000MigliaExperienceItaly 🏁
Stay tuned per sapere chi si aggiudicherà la prima posizione sul podio 🏆
Apr 12
millemigliaofficial
The Kartodromo 90 and the Circuito del Levante hosted the Time Trials of the second leg of the #1000MigliaExperienceItaly2025.
The second sector of the race went like this 🔥
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Il Kartodromo 90 e il Circuito del Levante hanno ospitato le Prove Cronometrate della seconda tappa della #1000MigliaExperienceItaly2025.
Il secondo settore di gara è andato così 🔥
Apr 12
millemigliaofficial
Leg 2️⃣ of #1000MigliaExperienceItaly2025 starts from Matera 😍
After the Passage Control at the Military Airport of Gioia del Colle, the crews opened the first sector of the race with an Average Trial that took them from Noci to Alberobello, the third World Heritage Site of this edition ✅
After visiting the Trulli, the cars headed towards this year`s novelty: the Time Trials on the track 🏎️ 🔜
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Al via da Matera la Tappa 2️⃣ di #1000MigliaExperienceItaly2025 😍
Dopo il Controllo Timbro all’Aeroporto Militare di Gioia del Colle, gli equipaggi hanno aperto il primo settore di gara con una Prova di Media che da Noci li ha portati ad Alberobello, terzo sito Patrimonio dell’umanità di questa edizione ✅
Dopo la visita ai Trulli, le auto si sono dirette verso la novità di quest’anno: le Prove Cronometrate in pista 🏎️ 🔜
Apr 12
millemigliaofficial
The arrival in the heart of Matera offered a privileged viewpoint over the famous Sassi 🌄
While the cars took a break in the panoramic Piazza di San Pietro Caveoso, a walk allowed the crews to enjoy the splendour of this UNESCO World Heritage Site ✨
See you tomorrow! 💤
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L’arrivo nel cuore di Matera ha offerto un punto di vista privilegiato sui famosi Sassi 🌄
Mentre le auto hanno sostato nella panoramica Piazza di San Pietro Caveoso, una passeggiata ha regalato agli occhi degli equipaggi lo splendore di questo Patrimonio Mondiale Unesco✨
A domani! 💤
Apr 11