"Palio!" Siena by shivan

Siena Travel Guide: 1,062 reviews and 2,499 photos

A paint showing Palio back in 1546 - Siena

This town in Tuscany is well reknown all over the world for precise reason, apart from being one of the most beautiful in Italy.

In Siena, two times per years, a centuries-old race takes place, the PALIO.

Citizens in Siena are divided into "contrade", areas of the town, I think they are 17.

I personally support the Contrada della Torre

10 of them twice per years participate to this race. The field is "Piazza del Campo", a square in central Siena.

The horses with their riders run three times clockwise the square.

Even a horse with no riders can with Palio for its contrada.

Horses are celebrities here and riders, in italian "fantini", too.

This race has been cruel sometimes, with horses and men being injured or even dead.

It is a tradition that comes from the middle ages, and everytime many, many tourists are attracted her efrom anywhere.

The Action

This is the Torre horse and rider in action

But what is a "Palio", actually?

There it is!

Pros and Cons

Pros:A unique experience to live
Cons:too many people
In a nutshell:Go there, no excuses

Last visit to Siena: May 2002
Intro Updated Jul 8, 2004
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Reviews (7)

Outside central Siena... Things to Do (7)

..it is possible to enjoy views like this. Can't remember (as usual) the name of this big monastery, what I can clearly... more travel advice

The inner Duomo (2) Things to Do (7)

another pic from inside the Duomo. This place is also crowded, let me say the Siena as a whole is crowded with people... more travel advice

The inner Duomo Things to Do (7)

Nice architecture (hundreds of churches are similar to this in Italy, anyway). more travel advice

The Duomo Things to Do (7)

Siena is not only Palio or Piazza del Campo. A wonderful cathedral (Duomo) can be found not far from Piazza del Campo more travel advice

Comments (18)

JetlagCity Sep 19, 2004 at 5:01 PM Report Abuse

Would love to see the Palio someday, or at least the races leading up to it! My husband is a horseracing fan and now I am, too!
olja1234 Jul 10, 2004 at 11:25 AM Report Abuse

An interesting Siena town. I enjoyed!
baronedivandastad Apr 25, 2004 at 2:22 PM Report Abuse

The "monastry" in your picture is actually the S. Domenico church. Anyway, good work! (if a sienese says so it must be true).
rich77 Feb 17, 2004 at 4:21 AM Report Abuse

Siena... il posto dove vorrei vivere "da grande"... non ho mai vissuto l'emozione del Palio, deve essere qualcosa di unico!
deecat Feb 13, 2004 at 7:20 PM Report Abuse

What a wonderful group of pages on Siena. I loved this city and certainly enjoyed reliving it with your pages.
sim1 Nov 25, 2003 at 7:26 AM Report Abuse

Great page Nicola! Siena is such a beautiful place! I would love to go back here again!
chicabonita Nov 1, 2003 at 4:29 AM Report Abuse

another Itailian town I have to put on my travel list! Would like to see the Palio once ...
mrclay2000 Oct 21, 2003 at 9:32 AM Report Abuse

All I've ever heard about Siena appears on this page. Interesting town.
Roeffie Oct 14, 2003 at 4:08 AM Report Abuse

Hope to visit when my kids are somewhat bigger!
tini58de Oct 2, 2003 at 3:52 AM Report Abuse

I loved Siena - and this page brings back many wonderful memories! Great update! Grazie, Nicola!