Which one of the 17 Contrade do they run it?
The seven Contrade that have not held in July/August last year run by 'law' while the other 3 missing to 10 by 'lot' among the remaining 10.
The seven Contrade that have not held in July/August last year run by 'law' while the other 3 missing to 10 by 'lot' among the remaining 10.
How do they choice the last?
in much secrecy in Palazzo Pubblico where the captains of the 17 Contrade meet and with the help of a secular tool and a complex ritual ensure 100% impartiality of choice. Once the Contrade were extracted - around 7.00 p.m. - all the people wait in the Square that a municipal employer exhibits the flags of the Contrade extracted from the windows of the Palazzo Pubblico. Each 'expousure' is accompained by shouts of joy of the contradioli's (people who belong to a Contrada) kissed by fortune and, in some cases, by the 'silence' of the people of the rival Contrade.
When does it happen?
The last Sunday of May for the Palio of July and the Sunday after July 2nd for the Palio of August.
in much secrecy in Palazzo Pubblico where the captains of the 17 Contrade meet and with the help of a secular tool and a complex ritual ensure 100% impartiality of choice. Once the Contrade were extracted - around 7.00 p.m. - all the people wait in the Square that a municipal employer exhibits the flags of the Contrade extracted from the windows of the Palazzo Pubblico. Each 'expousure' is accompained by shouts of joy of the contradioli's (people who belong to a Contrada) kissed by fortune and, in some cases, by the 'silence' of the people of the rival Contrade.
When does it happen?
The last Sunday of May for the Palio of July and the Sunday after July 2nd for the Palio of August.
I have talked about 'rival' Contrade. Do you want to know why? well, we don't remind it because it comes from log time...
The Palio begins on June 29th/August 13th:
around 1.00 p.m. at the Campo square the horse will be assigned to each Contrada by lot. This moment is called 'tratta' and it's very important because although the horses are chosen so that none is superior to another, however, it can happen that horses which have already won the Palio are chosen and therefore outsider among the others.
The horse, called 'barbero', is the unique starring of the Palio. In fact, the Contrada wins also if the horse arrives at the end of the 3 laps alone, without the jockey. It means that the horse can't be replaced, neither if it dies. The horse is entrusted to the 'barbaresco' who leads it to the stable of its Contrada and remains with it 24 hours a day until the last race to take care of it and to control nobody give it alterated drinks.
- from June 29th/August 13th evening till July 2nd/August 16th morning six 'prove' (trials) are run in the Square to test the horses. The most awited trial is the first because it is the first time that the jockeys ride the horses, know them and try to understand their potential.
- on July 1st/August 15th evening there is the evening's rehearsal dinner along the Contrade streets which run. The dinner is open also to tourists. Of course, dear tourists, don't have too many expectations about the welcome and the menù. The Palio is not a festival for tourists so, be respectful and not intrusive.
After dinner, the authorities of each Contrada will take secret deals with the other Contrade. Everyone knows that but no one confirme it openly. During the night they take the last agreements with those which can 'help' them to win the Palio.
- Also the 'fantini', the jockeys, are important of course. Until the penultimate trial the Contrada may also change the jockey or the jockey may decide not to run for that Contrada. You will know the jockey's name by sure only with the 'provaccia', the last trial on the morning of July 2nd/August 16th. At that point , the jockey can no longer be changed.
In recent years a good quoted jockey is from Siena. His name is Luigi Bruschelli and his nickname is Trecciolino. The jockey can run in any Contrada but of course it's better if he doesn't run for a Contrada if the year before it ran and won in its rival Contrada...
Check schedule of July 2nd and August 16th so that you will be able to know all that will happen that day.
Check schedule of July 2nd and August 16th so that you will be able to know all that will happen that day.
At Borgo Grondaie our customers ask often us where it's better to see the Palio. In my opinion:
- if you are young and strong psychologically you can go and see the race standing in the middle of the Square. Thanks to the shape of the Square you can see from all sides. A recommendation to 'gentlemen': don't load on your shoulders your friend to can see better because all the people around you will whistle to you.
- if you are young but you have also children with you it's better to go in advance to the Cathedral and sit down on the outside stairs to see the Parade. When the Parade ends go inside the closest to see the race on TV. As soon as the run ends go to the church of Provenzano (on July) or to the Cathedral (on August) to see the winner Contrada coming to thanks and to sing Te deum to our Lady.
- if you are not so young and want to enjoy the rush in peace I suggest you to buy tickets to see the whole parade and the race comfortably seated in the stages or in a terrace. The best seats are those near the 'mossa', the start. Tickets are very expensive but it's worth it, believe me!
Last recommendations:
- during the days of the Palio avoid to peeve the people of the Contrada with questions on why, how, etc or to show visibly 'surprised' or 'horrified' by some of their attitudes. For example, if you are in the middle of a brawl on the street it could be that you are in the presence of a clash between two rival Contrade. Nobody will get you but avoid to stay in the middle or to do your best in separating them. Be sure that when the Palio ends the life in Siena returns to normality!
- everywhere you see the race: in the Square, on the terrace or in a Bar avoid making comments immediately after the race ends. We will give you all the information at the front desk. Avoid 'smile' if you see people crying because they didn't win or arrived second (threre is only '1' winner in the Palio) or they rival Contrada won.
The evening, after dinner, you can visit the Contrada that won end enjoy a free glass of wine. It's better if you take dinner in the Square so that you can see people of the winner Contrada coming with their 'alfieri', the flag-wavers, to show the 'cencio', the banner, that represents the prize for the victory and that will then be kept in the museum of the Contrada.
by Amina, Antonio and Gaia
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