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Contrada del Leocorno

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Piazzetta Virgilio Grassi

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Guardian of an ancient elegance along the Via Francigena and guided by the symbol of science, the Contrada del Leocorno combines noble origins with a proud resilience. A journey through the streets of Pantaneto, where the white and orange colors tell a story of challenges overcome and an unbreakable bond with the tradition of the Palio.

GENERAL INFORMATION

HEADQUARTERS: Piazzetta Virgilio Grassi - Third of San Martino

SOCIETY: "Il Cavallino" - Piazzetta Virgilio Grassi, 6

NAME OF THE CONTRADA MEMBERS: Lecaioli

MOTTO: "Faith and heal with the weapon I have on my forehead"

COAT OF ARMS: of silver, with a white unicorn rampant on a natural field; blue border charged with the inscription "HUMBERTI REGIS GRATIA" in golden Roman letters.

COLORS: white and orange in equal parts lined or arabesqued with azure

SYMBOLIZES: science

PLACES AND REFERENCES

CHURCH AND ORATORY: Church of San Giovanni Battista della Staffa

PATRON AND TITLE FESTIVAL: San Giovanni Battista - June 24

MUSEUM: Via Follonica, 31

FOUNTAIN: Work of Architect Carlo Nepi, created in 1997, located in Via Pantaneto.

RELATIONS AND ORGANIZATION

RELATIONS WITH OTHER CONTRADE:
allies Panther, Tartuca
enemies Owl

CORPORATIONS: goldsmiths

MILITARY COMPANIES: San Giorgio, Pantaneto, Spadaforte

HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT OF THE UNICORN

The origins of the Unicorn lie in the Military Companies of San Giorgio, Pantaneto and part of the Company of Spadaforte, developing along the main route of the Via Francigena. The people of the District were essentially composed of noble families, which, however, did not guarantee that popular participation typical of the other sister districts.

In the past, the district members referred to the Church of San Giovannino, embellished especially in the first half of the Seventeenth Century by the Company of San Giovanni Battista. The confreres also built a chapel for the "Madonna della Pace" (work of Francesco di Vannuccio) which in 1660 became the official seat of the District.

A dark page in its history dates back to 1717, when, due to the absence of its men at the solemn entrance in Siena of Princess Violante of Bavaria, the Unicorn was suspended for ten years. Only in 1776 did it return to victory, giving rise to the "modern" Unicorn. In the last part of the Eighteenth Century, the District distinguished itself for its participation in parades with rich costumes and imaginative floats.

PALIOS AND RESULTS

WON PALIOS: 32 for the Contrada | 29 for the Municipality

CURIOSITIES
A curiosity related to the name: between 1750 and 1790 and then between 1827 and 1902, the District raced almost all the careers under the name "Unicorn", believing it brought good luck. With the name Unicorn, it remained dry of victories for 72 years, a negative record in the history of the Palio di Siena. In 1902, however, it was decided to return to the original name.

Leocorno is the only district with two banners painted by the same author, Bruno Marzi, in 1950 and 1954.