History and tradition
The alley is located in the territory of the Contrada del Drago and takes its name from an ancient popular game: the palla a corda, ancestor of modern tennis, where boys would challenge each other by bouncing a light ball between two taut ropes. It is easy to imagine the laughter, the noises, and the vitality that once animated this stone corridor, leaving deep traces in the toponym. Even today, the Contrada del Drago keeps the memory alive of this tradition through dedicated cultural events.
Architecture and atmosphere
The entrance from Via della Sapienza leads to a steep path that narrows between the ancient walls and continues parallel to the main road. Arches and connections between buildings create plays of light and shadows that change at every hour of the day, making the alley a particularly photogenic place. Looking up, the top of the San Domenico bell tower frames the perspective with a monumental touch. In the evening, the streetlights illuminate the bricks with golden reflections, transforming the alley into a cinematic setting.
A hidden gem of the city
The alley also houses the stable of the Contrada del Drago, a symbol of the Palio history and the contrada identity. Walking through it, one perceives a silence full of stories and memory: a place not marked by tourist guides, but capable of leaving in the visitor's heart the feeling of having discovered the most authentic Siena, made of games, traditions, and stones that speak.
