Siena:
The Palio
The Palio
Siena is made up of three districts or terzi (Terzo di Camollia, Terzo di Citta, Terzo di San Martino), each of which is subdivided into a number of contrade (wards/districts). There are seventeen contrade, in all, and it is to the contrada, membership of which is strictly by birth, that a citizen of Siena owes his or her first allegiance.
Each contrada, most of which are named after animals (Oca/Goose, Istrice/Porcupine, Civetta/Owl), has its own flag and colours, its own chapel, museum and fountain, and, of course, its own patron saint.
Each contrada, most of which are named after animals (Oca/Goose, Istrice/Porcupine, Civetta/Owl), has its own flag and colours, its own chapel, museum and fountain, and, of course, its own patron saint.
Flags of the Seventeen Contradas
Twice a year, on July 2nd and August 16th, the contrade compete in the Palio di Siena, the world famous horse race, which takes place in the neutral space of the Piazza del Campo.
Ten of the city's contrade take part in each race. The seven contrade that are not selected for one race are automatically included in the next. The additional 3 participants are drawn by lot. It is therefore possible for a contrada to win both races in the same year, an achievement known as a 'cappotto'.
The horses are allocated by lot, but the jockeys (fantini), who ride bareback, are hired by the contrade. The race takes place in the Piazza del Campo, where a thick bed of tuff, clay and sand has been laid around the perimeter. The horses must make three laps of the piazza and the whole race usually lasts no more than about 80 seconds.
A jockey is allowed to use his whip (nerbo), a stretched and dried bull's pizzle, not only for his own horse, but also for striking other horses and riders. The race can be won by a horse minus its rider; such a horse is known as a cavallo scosso.
The winning contrada is awarded a banner, the much-coveted palio. The palio (also known as the drappellone) is a long rectangular piece of silk, hand-painted by an artist for the occasion, which is mounted on a pole, topped by a silver plate with two black and white (the colours of Siena) plumes draped down the sides. The palio remains the property of the contrada; the silver plate belongs to the city and is returned before the start of the next race.
The July race, which was first run in 1656, is known as the Palio di Provenzano, and is held in honour of the Madonna of Provenzano. The August race, which was run for the first time in 1701, is known as the Palio dell' Assunta and is held in honour of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
The contrada that has gone the longest time without a victory is nicknamed La nonna (The grandmother).
A spectacular two-hour procession, the corteo storico, with the participants dressed in historical costume, precedes each race.
Ten of the city's contrade take part in each race. The seven contrade that are not selected for one race are automatically included in the next. The additional 3 participants are drawn by lot. It is therefore possible for a contrada to win both races in the same year, an achievement known as a 'cappotto'.
The horses are allocated by lot, but the jockeys (fantini), who ride bareback, are hired by the contrade. The race takes place in the Piazza del Campo, where a thick bed of tuff, clay and sand has been laid around the perimeter. The horses must make three laps of the piazza and the whole race usually lasts no more than about 80 seconds.
A jockey is allowed to use his whip (nerbo), a stretched and dried bull's pizzle, not only for his own horse, but also for striking other horses and riders. The race can be won by a horse minus its rider; such a horse is known as a cavallo scosso.
The winning contrada is awarded a banner, the much-coveted palio. The palio (also known as the drappellone) is a long rectangular piece of silk, hand-painted by an artist for the occasion, which is mounted on a pole, topped by a silver plate with two black and white (the colours of Siena) plumes draped down the sides. The palio remains the property of the contrada; the silver plate belongs to the city and is returned before the start of the next race.
The July race, which was first run in 1656, is known as the Palio di Provenzano, and is held in honour of the Madonna of Provenzano. The August race, which was run for the first time in 1701, is known as the Palio dell' Assunta and is held in honour of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
The contrada that has gone the longest time without a victory is nicknamed La nonna (The grandmother).
A spectacular two-hour procession, the corteo storico, with the participants dressed in historical costume, precedes each race.