Palio di Siena

Background

Siena is divided into 17 contrade (districts), each with its own flag, church and emblem. Ten of them run in each Palio: the seven that did not run in the same race the previous year qualify automatically, and the other three are drawn by lot. The 2 July race is dedicated to the Madonna of Provenzano and the 16 August race to the Assumption of the Virgin. Three days before the race, horses are assigned to the contrade by lot, followed by six trial runs. On race day each contrada blesses its horse in its own church or oratory; in the afternoon comes the historical pageant (corteo storico), with flag-wavers, drummers and an ox-drawn cart carrying the banner. The riders race bareback for three laps of the square, and the winning contrada takes a hand-painted silk banner (the drappellone), painted by a different artist each time, then celebrates through the night.

Local customs

• The trial runs
• the blessing of the horses in the contrada churches
• the historical pageant and flag-waving
• the race in the Piazza del Campo
• the winning contrada's celebrations

Rules that apply here

Travel tips

• The Palio is fixed every year on 2 July and 16 August, with the horse draw and trial runs in the days before
• the schedule is subject to announcement by the City of Siena. Standing in the centre of the square is traditionally free, though access may be limited when it is full
• grandstand seats and window places are booked separately, and tickets are subject to official announcement. The summer afternoon sun is strong and it is hard to leave the centre of the square once inside, so bring plenty of water and sun protection.

2027 schedule

• In 2027 the Palio follows the usual dates of 2 July (Palio di Provenzano) and 16 August (Palio dell'Assunta)
• the schedule is pending official announcement.