Siena and the Palio race

This is the magnificent Campo Square, the main square of my town, where the Palio race takes place in the Summer. The Palio is a joyful and coloured traditional festival, which is considered by the Sienesi not only a horse race, but much more. It takes place twice a year, on July 2nd and August 16th. Both races are dedicated to the Virgin Mary and the one in August is the older, documented since the end of the 13th century. Siena is divided into 17 districts, called contrade, which take part in the race. Being a contradaiolo - that is to say belonging to one of Siena's districts - is like being part of a big family, of a big body, it's a feeling almost impossible to understand to people coming from outside the walls of the town. 

Visiting Siena with me could be the right way to discover all histories, tradition, ritual of this festival which traces back its origins to the Middle Ages!