The Palio di Siena, a spectacular medieval Italian competition
Palio di Siena, a medioeval competition
The Palio di Siena is a competition among the Contrade (districts) of Siena and it takes place as an equestrian race of medieval origins.
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When takes place
The "Carriera", as traditionally it's named the race, normally takes place twice a year: on July the 2nd (tomorrow), the Madonna di Provenzano, and on August 16th the one in honor of Madonna dell'Assunta.
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In the case of exceptional occurrences of urban or national importance considered relevant and pertinent (as for example it happened for the centenary of the Unification of Italy), the Siena citizens community may decide to execute an "Extraordinary Palio", which runs between May and September.
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Hystorical background
The Palio was first run in Siena in 1701 in order to honor the apparition of the Virgin Mary in the city. The Madonna (=virgin Mary) dell’Assunta is celebrated in Siena since 1260, when it is said that she protected the army of the city during a battle against Florence. The different districts (the Contrade), they don't fancy each other. A real strong antagonism exists still nowadays between the districts a hate that protruded over time cause in ancient times it was even worst.
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The Palio today
Today Siena is divided into 17 districts (59 in origin), and they have all strange names such as Chiocciola (snail), Pantera (panther), Civetta (owl), Aquila (eagle), or others linked to the natural world as Onda (wave) and Selva (forest).
Nowadays the Palio is one of the main cultural Italian events. People coming from all over the world come to see this magnificent spectacle. The preparation takes several days, during which piazza del Campo a large Square is completely modified. First a layer of soil is spread to prepare the track, then some mattresses on the wall of the square to protect the jockeys and horses in case they fall. The Palio is a real hard event, in the past many participants were injured and some others even died, but it was an honor of their own disctrict.
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It's time to run
Some hours before the Palio, a parade takes place: the Contrade march together, with its banners, drummers, riders and the jockey. Then the race begins! In the evening, at 7:30 pm CEST the horses and the jockeys enter the square and when the last one is aligned a strong explosion gives the signal to start.
WATCH THE VIDEO BELOW:
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The jockeys can use their whips for the horses but (and this is incredible to see) even to strike the other riders in order to disturb them! Another strange thing to comprehend is that the Palio the winner is the horse, not the man. A horse can win the Palio without its rider giving the prize to its district! The winner is awarded with an artistic banner, hand-painted on silk called Palio and it's different for each race.
The celebration
The manifestation ends with a great celebration that takes place in the little streets of the winning district and it continues till the morning. If you have the chance to be in Siena during the Palio, you should go there and participate to this amazing event. It is a unique experience, a tradition several hundred years old, that represent a great part of the Italian culture, an extraordinary tradition still alive nowadays!
If you never saw it tomorrow you have a chance to do it on TV.
TV Channel: RAI2, July the 2nd 7:00 PM CEST
Awesome Combination of Travelling with photography and Person with such a nice Sense Of Humor !!
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what a coincidence, i went in Siena some days ago and i made a post xD ( https://steemit.com/travel/@thecryptotrader/a-day-to-the-spa-visit-to-siena )
Are you from Siena or near it?
Great! Anyway no, @thecryptotrader I live far from Siena but since when I was I child I follow the Palio ;) I made the post because tomorrow there will be the Palio dell'Assunta
This post has received a 0.10 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @thenightflier.
I remember seeing the race and then getting free wine all night from the team that won. Our goal was to get drunk so we could sleep in the town center that evening. We succeeded.