Palio of Siena

Come with us to discover the experience of a lifetime: the Palio of Siena

Palio of Siena

"Piazza del Campo" is still used today for the well known Palio horse race which is one of the most famous popular Italian manifestations. It takes place every year on July 2 and August 16. The Palio is run to celebrate the miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary near the old houses that belonged to Provenzano Salvani. The holy apparition was therefore called "Madonna di Provenzano" in whose honour the very first Palio was run on August 16, 1656. The Palio was run for the first time in 1701 in honour of the "Madonna dell'Assunta" the patroness and Advocate of Siena through all the tragic events since she protected the Sienese militia at the famous battle of Monteaperti on September 4, 1260, against the Florentines.

 
The Palio is a historical secular tradition strictly connected with the origin of the Contradas of Siena (districts into which the town is divided). The Contradas are spectacular agonistic institutions each having their own government, oratory, coat of arms, appellations, sometimes titles of nobility, emblems and colours, official representatives, festivities, patron Saints, with protectors, delimited territories and population which consist of all those people who were born or live within the topographic limits of the district, according to the proclamation issued by Violante Beatrice of Bavaria on January 7, 1730, at that time, Governess of the town.
 
Originally, there were about fifty-nine "Contrade"; now only seventeen remain, ten of which take part in the historical pageant and in the race at each Palio (seven by right and three drawn by lots).
 

It’s really a pleasure for us to suggest you the several opportunities we offer onJuly 2nd  or August 16th for the beautiful and unforgettable event of the Palio race

These are our programs.

 

 

 - Palio race with “Terrace tickets”

July 2nd / August 16th

MEETING POINT AT 2.00 p.m. in P.zza Matteotti

by the Mc Donald's Restaurant

H 2:00 p.m. We will bring you to see the ceremony of the "blessing of the Horse", where a priest will bless the horse in the church of the Contrada.

H 3:30 p.m. Near by the Duomo you will see the start of the "historical procession", and you will appreciate the precious costumes of our Palio.

H 5:30 p.m.: We will go in a historical building of Piazza del Campo (we’ll stay in San Martino corner, the most difficult point of the race) from where you will have the chance to attend to the run of the Palio, always hosted by a guide who will satisfy all your curiosity and will tell you all the meanings and rules of the run.

(no sitting places in the terrace during the race, bathroom available).

 

For more info and price contact us