Travel Siena, Italy

Palio Horse Race in Siena, Italy

January 1st, 2010

Siena is known for its long horse race tradition and every year the palio is held on the 2nd of july and the 16th of august. Not knowing this we were quite lucky to arrive in Siena exactly on august 16th.

During the Palio ten of the seventeen contrade or suburbs are represented by their riders and horses which carry the flag of their contrade and are dressed in the same colours.

Palio flags for sale in Siena Palio flags for sale in..

Tourists and locals all gather on Piazza del Campo which turns into one big horse racing with the public cheering at the riders from the middle of the square. The riders circle around Piazza del Campo three times at high velocity and the jockeys risk of getting thrown of their horses.

The winning horse represents his contrada and will be treated like a king. The rider also earns a lot of credit but the real victory is for the contrada he belongs to.

Walking through Siena its easy to recognize the different contrada's as they all have their flags and street symbols which read their name. The 17 contrade are: Aquila, Bruco, Chiocciola, Civetta, Drago, Giraffa, Istrice, Leocorno, Lupa, Nicchio, Oca, Onda, Pantera, Selva, Tartuca, Torre and Valdimontone.

During the days after the palio the streets of Siena are filled with celebrating people from the winning contrade.

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Travel Pictures of Siena, Italy

  • Palio flags for sale in Siena Palio flags for sale in Siena
  • People celebrating palio victory People celebrating palio victory
  • Palio in Siena celebrating in the streets Palio in Siena celebrating in the streets
  • The Palio Horse Race in Siena The Palio Horse Race in Siena
  • The Palio Horse Race in Siena The Palio Horse Race in Siena
  • Winning Contrada in Siena Winning Contrada in Siena
  • Kids in Siena celebrate Palio victory Kids in Siena celebrate Palio victory
  • Siena street view during Palio Siena street view during Palio
  • Pictures of Siena, Italy Pictures of Siena, Italy
  • Territorio della contrada della Giraffa Territorio della contrada della Giraffa
  • The streets of Siena celebrate The streets of Siena celebrate
  • Piazza del Campo during the Palio Piazza del Campo during the Palio
  • Piazza del Campo in Siena Piazza del Campo in Siena
  • The Palio in Siena The Palio in Siena
  • Celebrating the Palion in Siena Celebrating the Palion in Siena
  • The street view in Siena The street view in Siena
  • Siena street view during the Palio Siena street view during the Palio
  • Contrada dell'Aquila in Siena Contrada dell'Aquila in Siena
  • Street signs in the suburbs in Siena Street signs in the suburbs in Siena
  • Palio at Piazza del Campo Palio at Piazza del Campo
  • Contrada Torre during the Palio Contrada Torre during the Palio
  • Contrada del Valdimontone in Siena Contrada del Valdimontone in Siena
  • Nobil Contrada del Bruco in Siena Nobil Contrada del Bruco in Siena

Weather

Siena Weather

Mostly Cloudy
28 °C | 82.4 °F

Traveller

Sandro photo
Name: Sandro
Age: 26-33
Travel type: Couples vacation

Travel Blog

Palio Horse Race in Siena, Italy
Continent: Europe
Country: Italy
City: Siena
Period: Aug 2008
Lenght of stay: -
Views: 5848

Travel Review

Liked: The Palio celebrations and street decorations.
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Trip Rating: Good

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