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il Palio di Siena

The Palio di Siena

A Heritage that runs in the heart of the city

The breath of a tradition that never dies

When you arrive in Siena during the days of the Palio, 
you can't help but feel an energy pulsing in the air.

It's as if the entire city is holding its breath, waiting for something great to happen. 

Piazza del Campo transforms into an unparalleled arena, and all around you seem to hear an ancient call, like the clinking of coins echoing between the walls of the buildings, silent witnesses of centuries of stories and legends. 

The race, which takes place on July 2 and August 16, is just the pinnacle of a tradition that has enveloped the city and its inhabitants for centuries, like a sort of collective rite that involves each of us, even those who are not Sienese.

The Contrade
The beating heart of the city

The Contrade are much more than neighborhoods of Siena: they are true communities that live through the rivalries and alliances that span the centuries. Walking through the city, you immediately notice that every corner tells a story of pride, passion, and tradition. 

The flags and coats of arms that decorate every alley speak to you of bonds that transcend time. If you are lucky enough to be invited to a Contrada dinner, you will find yourself immersed in an atmosphere that is not only convivial but also historical: a moment when the city becomes one voice, a chorus of memories and hopes.

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Aquila

Aquila

Bruco

Bruco

Chiocciola

Chiocciola

Civetta

Civetta

Drago

Drago

Giraffa

Giraffa

Istrice

Istrice

Leocorno

Leocorno

Lupa

Lupa

The rites of the Palio

Where every gesture is full of meaning

The race itself lasts just over a minute, but the days leading up to it are filled with rites that seem suspended in time. 

The assignment of the horses, the trials, the blessing of the horse, and the Historical Parade are moments that draw you into the heart of a tradition that goes far beyond mere competition. 

The horse is the undisputed protagonist: treated like a member of the community, it is blessed with the phrase “Go and return victorious,” a wish that is both a hope and a promise. And it is curious to think that, if the jockey were to fall, the “shaken” horse could still win, symbolizing a struggle that never gives up.

The Drappellone

A canvas that tells a story

Every Palio has its drappellone, a unique work of art that the winning Contrada will guard jealously. 

Painted by Italian and international artists, the drappellone is not just a prize, but a visual testimony of a victory that will forever remain etched in history. 

The victory is celebrated as a triumph that lasts not only on the day of the race but extends into the celebrations that invade the winning neighborhood: an explosion of joy that fills the streets, squares, and hearts.

The Contrade, 
the Heart of Siena

the Contrade
live all year round

Beyond the days of the Palio, the Contrade live all year round: the museums, the oratories, the Societies tell the stories of life, of ancient rivalries and alliances, of secrets hidden within the walls of the buildings.

Every stone of Siena holds a memory

Every stone of Siena holds a memory, a recollection of a moment that made history, as if every corner of the city were a small fragment of Palio that lives on forever, even when the race is over.

Discover the contrade

The Palio of Siena is a journey that never ends

It is a tradition that renews itself and continues to live, today as yesterday, the beating heart of Siena

Come discover a city that never stops telling its story, a Palio that is much more than a race, but a true experience to live.