Palio dell'Assunta

The Palio di Siena is an iconic horse race held twice a year in the heart of Siena, Italy, on July 2 and August 16. This historic event has its roots in the Middle Ages, with the first documented evidence dating back to 1238. The race is a symbol of the city's rich heritage and the fierce rivalry between its districts, known as contrade.

The Palio dell'Assunta, held on August 16, is particularly significant as it honors the Assumption of Mary. The race features ten horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the appropriate colors, representing ten of the seventeen contrade. The horses and jockeys gather in Piazza del Campo, the city's stunning shell-shaped medieval square, shortly before seven o'clock in the evening. The square is covered with a thick layer of tufa dust for the race, and the arrival of the horses is heralded by the explosion of firecrackers.

The Palio, a hand-painted silk banner, is the coveted prize. It is designed according to a precise iconography that includes sacred symbols, the insignia of the city, and those of the third part of the city, as well as the symbols or colors of the ten contrade participating in the race. The winning contrada retains the palio, along with the plumes, while the plate is returned to the city of Siena before the two Palii of the following year.

The event is preceded by a pageant, the Corteo Storico, and the race itself is a thrilling spectacle, with jockeys riding bareback and horses often finishing the race without their riders. The Palio is a unique and captivating celebration of Siena's history and culture, and a must-see event for any visitor to the city.