And the legendary challenge with Buffalo Bill, still alive today in the heart of the Maremma
In the heart of the Maremma Natural Park, among coastal pine forests, sandy dunes, and the open pastures of Alberese, the butteri still live today—ancient horseback herdsmen who embody the proud and untamed spirit of this land.
These men, dressed in leather gaiters, wide-brimmed hats, and holding the traditional mazzarella, are the guardians of free-ranging herds of Maremma cattle and horses. It is a craft passed down for centuries, making Alberese one of the last places where this tradition remains alive, authentic, and part of everyday life.
🤠 The challenge with Buffalo Bill: Maremma pride
In March 1890, during the European tour of the famous Buffalo Bill Cody, the butteri of the Maremma became protagonists of an event destined to enter legend. Convinced of the superiority of his cowboys, the American challenged anyone to prove greater skill in breaking wild horses.
Augusto Imperiali, a landowner, accepted the challenge and called to Rome a team of butteri from Alberese, including the renowned Andrea Veri, known as “il Pomarancio.” There, before the Roman public and Buffalo Bill himself, the Maremma butteri masterfully broke horses that the American cowboys had failed to control.
It was a moment of pure pride for the Maremma, showing how courage, patience, and a deep understanding of nature could prevail over spectacle and arrogance.
🎉 A living tradition: the Butteri Festival
Every year, on Easter Monday (Pasquetta), Alberese celebrates its butteri with a popular festival that attracts hundreds of visitors. The day begins with the buttero’s Mass, still attended by men and women on horseback, followed by parades, skill tests and horse-breaking demonstrations, music, and moments of shared celebration.
It is an opportunity to remember the historic challenge with Buffalo Bill, but above all to honor an authentic profession, rooted in hard work, respect for animals, and a deep bond with the land.
📍 Visit Alberese and meet Italy’s real cowboys
Those who visit Alberese today can still see the butteri at work among the herds of the Maremma Park. Some farms organize demonstrations, horseback experiences, guided walks, and meetings with these legendary men who continue to preserve the truest identity of the Maremma.
