 Palio
in Terra di Siena
The most important features of the Siena Palio
are the horse races; starting in May and continuing until the end
of August a series of bare-back riding races in the surrounding townships
lead the way to the Palio, itself.
Most of the races are linked to rituals from
the middle ages and religious feasts; with citizens playing the protagonists
and parading in renaissance costumes through the streets of the city.
The turbulent ardor of the Sienese
Palio takes place twice a year, on 2nd July and 16th
August. Here is a list of the most important horse races
which are part of these antique traditions, dating back
to Etruscan Times.
Festa del Capannone in Torrita di Siena - 2nd Sunday of May
Dedicated to S. Macario, who protects the harvest against hail.
Festa della Beata Bonizella in Trequanda - 2nd Sunday of May
Religious feast dedicated to Bonizella Cacciaconti
who died in 1300 in the farm of Belsedere, but whose body was discovered
miraculously intact in the church of Trequanda in 1500
Festa di S. Giovanni in Chianciano Terme -
June 26th
Feast dedicated to S. Giovanni, the patron of
the city. Before the race riders and horses are blessed.
Festa dei Rioni in Monticiano - 2nd Sunday
of June
Feast of the neighborhood with a fair and organized
games.
Palio in Casole d'Elsa - 2nd Sunday of July
This race dates back to 1860; it is dedicated
to S. Donato, patron Saint of the city. On Saturday, a race will
qualify the horses that will be assigned to the 6 neighborhood (contrada)
in challenge.
Giostra di Simone in San Giovanni d'Asso -
Sunday after 6th August
The Giostra is inspired by a part of history which
dates back to 1292, when the inhabitants of Montisi defended their
Commune against Simone Cacciaconti.
More than a classic race, the Giostra di Simone is a skill challenge
between the teams of the 4 contradas (neighborhood). The riders,
at full gallop, have to hit a wooden knight with a lance avoiding
being hit themselves by the mase as the dummy swings around.
Giostra del Saracino in Sarteano - August 15th
Attending the Saracen Joust will drop you directly
in the middle ages with its renaissance costumes, heralds, drummers,
flag bearers and the sounds of horses' hoofs.
The joust get its origins from the ancient and
bloody tournaments that have existed from the age of Charlemagne.
The joust represents an evolution of the tournament: the adversary
is substituted by a puppet which carries on its left a ring where
the rider will have to slipped a lance to take it off. This exercise
needs considerable skill to dodge the bunch of wooden balls ready
to catch the rider who is not fast enough.
Palio in Siena - July 2nd & August 16th
Siena's Palio is definitely the oldest among the
Tuscan traditions. Its origins may date back to the Etruscan equestrian
games. In middle ages, nobles raced the Palio on their horses, which
started, in those days outside of the city. During the renaissance
they began to let the horse race without a rider and then with young
grooms who would wear the patron colors.
From 1700 the Palio became a popular feast for
the neighborhood (contrade), the protagonist of the race. Today the
race is held on Piazza del Campo; three days before the big race,
trial races are held together with the presentation of the horse
s and the draw of the 10 "contrade" participants.
Before the race, there is significant pageantry
evoking the 15th century parades with colorfully costumed men and
also flag throwing ceremonies.
In the horse race, which consists of making three
turns each of 339 Mt length, each bare-back riding jockey represents
a "contrada", each district identified by its characteristic colors.
The race requires tremendous skill; there are
no rules at all, the jockeys can hit their adversaries and the horses
with the whip, overtake by right and left, they can obstruct the
adversary staying in front of him or pushing him on the guardrail.
The horse can win even if the jockey has fallen.
During this historical tournament
known throughout Europe, all the pomp and ritual of
the Middle Ages lives again.
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