The Palio of Siena
Twice a year (July 2nd and August 16th) visitors to Siena can enjoy
the unique pageantry of the Palio that takes place in the beautiful
Piazza del Campo; don’t miss it. After the colourful procession
where representatives of the 17 presently surviving contrade
(there were many more in the past) parade in fantastic costumes and
display their colours, a horse-race (a rather risky one at that, with
jockeys riding bareback) takes place within the ringed turf.
The competition involves only ten contrade at one time: the
winner receives the palio (or banner) especially prepared by
some leading contemporary artist and always involving an image of the
Virgin Mary.
Partying goes on all night in the streets of the contrada
that has won the Palio as well as in those of its allies.
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