Il Palio di Siena

Il Palio di Siena is a world famous medieval horse race organized in the city of Siena located in Italian province of Tuscany. Siena was first settled in the time of the Etruscan (c. 900 BC to 400 BC). It got its name from the Etruscan tribe called the Saina.

The Palio di Siena is held twice a year. The first palio of the year called „Palio di Provenzano“ is held on the 2nd of July in honour of Madonna of Provenzano and as the Feast of the Visitation. The Palio is held for the second time, as „Palio dell'Assunta“, on the 16th of August, the day after the Feast of the Assumption, and is, the same as one in July, dedicated to the Virgin Mary.

Let's just mention that the palio generally describes different festival of medieval origin. Such festivals often include competitions like horse racing, archery, jousting, crossbow shooting etc. There are many such competitions in Italy and some other countries but the palio in Siena is one of the most famous.

The Palio di Siena is a competition of 17 contrade of Siena. They are administrative city districts formed in the middle ages. Their main purpose was to provide enough funds and soldiers for the army that defended Siena from attacks by neighbouring medieval states.

banners of 17 contrade participating in Palio di Siena

The seventeen contrade participating in the Palio di Siena are as folows.

Aquila

Aquila (Eagle), from the area immediately to the south-west of the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city, is considered one of four noble contrade. It got its title by the Habsburg Emperor Charles V in return for the warm welcome during his visit in 1536. Siena's the duomo (cathedral) is located in this contrada. The Virgin Mary is the patron of this contrade. The contrada was famous for its notaries. Aquila's symbol is a double-headed black eagle holding an orb, a sword and a sceptre. Its colours are yellow, trimmed with blue and black. The oldest Palio di Sienna banner, from 1719, is part of a local museum. Aquila is an ally with two contrade - the Civetta (Owl) and Drago (Dragon). Auquila's enemy on the other side is the Pantera (Panther) contrada.

Bruco

Bruco (Caterpillar), from the part of city north of the Piazza del Campo, is the second of noble contrade, but is generally working class neighbourhood. People there used to be in the silk business. It got its title of nobility because of its bravery in defeating Charles IV of Bohemia. It patron is Madonna. She is honoured on the the 2nd of July.
Bruco's symbol is a crowned caterpillar crawling on a rose. Its colours are green and yellow, trimmed with blue. It is the ally of the Istrice, Nicchio and Torre Contrada. The Caterpillar contrada is the one with no enemy.

Chiocciola

Chiocciola (Snail), from the southwest of Siena, is a contrada of a very old name. It got it sometime in 1200. The local baptismal fountain in front of the San Paolo church is rather special. In case of a victory in the Palio it pours out wine. Its residents used to be terracotta makers.

Civetta

Civetta (Owl), from the area just north of Piazza del Campo, has the title priora. It is the contrade of shoemakers. The symbol of this contrada is a crowned owl sitting on a branch. Its colours are red and black striped with white. Among the fans this contrada is known as „nonna“ as it has not won the Palio for more than 30 years.