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Italian Traditions:
The Palio di Siena
The Palio is a complex event organized by the Municipality of Siena that is held twice each year, on July 2 and August 16.
Ten of the 17 “contrade” (city quarters) of Siena run the Palio of July 2: the seven ones who did not run during the Palio of July of the previous year, plus three random from among the ten who ran it.
The draw takes place on the last Sunday of May, similarly for the Palio of August 16, with the draw taking place on the first Sunday after the Palio of July.
The 10 contrade participate to the Palio racing with a horse that is assigned them by a raffle from a shortlist of horses selected among those physically fit.
The Palio race is preceded by a pageant, an historic walk which is attended by over 600 people representing the 17 contrade and institutions of the ancient Republic of Siena.
The procession starts from Piazza del Duomo in the early hours of the afternoon, and winds through the streets of the city before taking off in Piazza del Campo.