The Palio Celebrations
Twice a year, a shell-shaped piazza in the centre of Sienna becomes the setting for one of Italy’s most thrilling events: PALIO.
17th August 2018
A characteristically Italian event, this quick-as-a-flash horse race is a battle between the districts of the city, and thousands of locals and visitors pour into the Piazza del Campo each year to watch the spectacle unfold. The oldest horse race in the world, The Famed Palio is a game of superb skill and cunning.
The Palio is an acrobatic horse race which follows a course around the edges of Siena’s primitive Piazza del Campo. Ten horses take part, representing 10 of Siena’s 17 contrade (districts). Each contrada has its own emblem and colours, plastered across the flags and banners that decorate the city in the days leading up to the race.
Palio lets out everything that’s inside of people in Siena, who during the rest of the year are very quiet and measured. The strong sense of belonging the Sienese have towards their contrada is truly amazing. This love and passion has been nurtured by their grandparents and their ancestors, as it’s a centuries’ old tradition.
There are two races each year. The first, the Palio di Provenzano, is held on 2 July, while the second, the Palio dell’Assunta, takes place on 16 August. Historic parades move through the piazza late afternoon, before the race starts at 7pm or 7.30pm.
Encased by olive groves and mesmeric vineyards, Siena is a striking medieval town in the heart of Tuscany, Italy. The magnificence of Palio lies in its history, the centuries’-old sport has a rich heritage. Full of high spirits and violent outbreaks, historical connect and emotional attachment, The Palio is not a sheer touristic event. The sport is full of passions and pride, played seamlessly in the heart of Tuscany for over a hundred years.
The best time to visit Siena is around August to experience the race. Arezzo, Luca, Sienna are some of the best places to visit in Sienna, Tuscany. Some of the world’s best attractions, Pilgrimage to La Verna, Piero della Francesca masterpieces in Arezzo and the Uffizi Gallery are the major visits when you go to Sienna.
Last Updated: 20th September 2022
