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Contrada della Chiocciola

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Via San Marco, 31

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Among the oldest in Siena and guided by the value of prudence, the Contrada del Chiocciola safeguards a legendary history and a deep sense of identity. An evocative journey through the San Marco district, where the red and yellow colors tell an epic of ancient roots and historic triumphs on the Campo.

GENERAL INFORMATION

HEADQUARTERS: Via San Marco, 31 - Terzo di Città

SOCIETY: "San Marco" - Via San Marco, 77

NAME OF THE CONTRADA MEMBERS: Chiocciolini

MOTTO: "With slow step and solemn in the field, Chiocciola descends to triumph."

COAT OF ARMS: of silver, seeded with the letters U and M of blue (Umberto I and Margherita of Savoy), alternated by roses of Cyprus parted in red and white, snail in its natural state passing on green mantle.

COLORS: white, featuring a snail in motion, decorated with Cypriot roses in shades of white and red, alternating with the Roman letters “U” and “M” in light blue.

SYMBOLIZES: prudence

PLACES AND REFERENCES

CHURCH AND ORATORY: Church of Saints Peter and Paul

PATRON AND TITLE FESTIVAL: Saints Apostles Peter and Paul - June 29

MUSEUM: Via San Marco, 31

FOUNTAIN: work of the sculptor Fulvio Corsini, it was the first to be installed in 1947. On the base the congratulatory inscription: "When victory smiles upon the Chiocciola, this fountain will pour good wine." It is located in front of the Oratory of the Contrada.

RELATIONS AND ORGANIZATION

RELATIONS WITH OTHER CONTRADE:
allies Istrice, Pantera, Selva
enemies Tartuca

CORPORATIONS: Leatherworkers

MILITARY COMPANIES: San Marco, San Quirico, Monistero

HISTORY OF THE CONTRADA DELLA CHIOCCIOLA

The Contrada della Chiocciola is one of the oldest in Siena. According to legend, the snail symbol dates back to Etruscan times, when the ancient inhabitants of the area are said to have attributed a particular religious significance to this animal.

The first documented historical reference dates back to 1466, when the residents of the village of San Marco donated several properties to the Monastery of Santa Marta, demonstrating that the Contrada already owned property of its own.
A key date is 1482, when the Chiocciola and the Giraffa built two wooden carts depicting their respective symbolic animals during a Gioco delle Pugna. This is considered the first documented evidence of the contrade being associated with their current names and animal symbols.

PALII AND RESULTS

WON PALII: 54 for the Contrada | 51 for the Municipality

PARTICULARITIES

TWINNINGS: Venice

CURIOSITIES
Over the centuries, the Chiocciola absorbed the now-defunct Contrada della Quercia. A decree issued by Princess Violante of Bavaria later established its definitive boundaries at Porta San Marco.

A tangible symbol of the bonds forged by the Contrada over time is the travertine lion at the top of Via San Marco. It was placed there in 1954 to commemorate the twinning with the city of Venice.