Palio di Siena

The Palio di Siena, which takes place on 2 July and 16 August of each year, is a race between horses mounted without saddle between the different districts (each district has its own horse) that monopolizes the attention on the city for several days.

This is because the Palio di Siena is not just a historical event or the reinterpretation of an ancient medieval joust, but it is the expression of the ancient and deeply rooted Sienese tradition.

The seventeen neighborhoods

In Siena there are seventeen districts (Aquila, Bruco, Chiocciola, Civetta, Drago, Giraffa, Istrice, Leocorno, Lupa, Nicchio, Oca, Onda, Pantera, Selva, Tartuca, Torre and Valdimontone) but only ten of these can participate in the Palio and let’s see why.

At each race, the seven districts that did not participate in the previous year’s race will run and three of the ten districts that had already run a year before will be drawn by lot so that the districts that can take part in the event are always ten.

The draws take place about a month before the prize and the draw for the August Palio usually takes place on the Sunday following the July Palio.

No other city keeps the cultural and civil heritage of the Middle Ages alive like Siena, with the Palio and the 17 Contrade, with its masterpieces of art and the historic center similar to a widespread museum.

Siena organizes over 600 events every year, often of extraordinary quality such as summer music festivals and large exhibitions.

In Siena, craftsmanship, gastronomy and wines reach excellence and carry a message of culture and tradition.

This is Siena, the gothic capital which, since 1995, is part of the Unesco world heritage and don’t forget to read our tips for your horseback riding in Tuscany.