The race, which is one of the most popular Italian customs commences every year on Piazza del Campo in the center of Siena.
There are ten players each one representing different part of the city called Contrada. As there are 17 historical Contradas, the special drawing chooses which of the district can take place in the following run. The races are held twice on 2 and 16 of August.
The Palio is run to celebrate the miraculous apparition of the Virgin Mary near the old houses that
belonged to Provenzano Salvani. The holy apparition was therefore called “Madonna di Provenzano” in
whose honour the very first Palio was run on August 16, 1656.
The Palio ceremonies start few days before the final race.
First the large group of horses compete in the series of trial runs.
After set of trial 10 horses are chosen by the captains, and takes the place the drawing, during which the horses are assigned to the Contradas.
At that point there is not possible to change drawn horse, but during next trials the Contrada can change the jockey until the final assingment will take place on the day of palio.
Next races are to prepare the horses and the jockeys to the final race.
The day of the race starts with the mass La Messa del Fantino celebrated by the Archbishop In the Chapel in front of the Municipal Building.
After the last trial run the jockeys are presenting their Contrada colors, and clothes they wear during the races. This is the final jockeys assingment , after which they can not be changed.
The jockeys are going to their district churches, where they and their horses obtain the blessing aimed to help to win the race.
The jockeys then go back to Piazza del Campo, but this time take part in the historical parade across the old town center.
People taking part in the parade wear the hand-made historical clothes, grouped according to the district division. Each district in the parade is preceded by the people caring Contrada’s banners.
The parade make stops and wave flags in: Piazza Salimbeni, “casino dei Nobili”, in front of the Chigi Saracini Palace, and in Piazza del Duomo leading to Piazza del Campo.
The players are put into the line and the race begins!
[photo courtesy of pedro prats]
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