Palio in Siena: horse racing with centuries of tradition

On August 16, in the Italian city of Siena, something unique takes place - the Siena Palio, the famous races with centuries-old traditions. This is not just a sports competition, it is a celebration of the spirit, culture and history. The unique costumes, the passion for competition and the atmosphere of the Middle Ages all make the Palio one of the most exciting events in Italy. We invite you to plunge into the world of ancient traditions and understand why the Siena Palio is so appreciated by Italians.

Since the middle of the 14th century, among the meandering narrow streets and historic squares of Siena, an ancient city in the heart of Tuscany, a spectacular spectacle has been played every year - the Siena Palio. It's not just about racing, it's about immersing yourself in deeply rooted traditions, suffused with passion and pride.

The Palio is a horse race that takes place twice a year, on July 2 and August 16, in Piazza del Campo, Siena's main square. But to understand its real meaning, you need to know that Siena is divided into 17 districts or "counters". Each of them has its own unique history, coat of arms, colors and, of course, its own horse. Only ten of these districts participate in each race, and each of them burns with the desire to win and bring pride to their contrada.

Competitions take place on the main square of the city - Del Campo. Piazza del Campo, or simply Campo, is the central square of Siena, which, for its uniqueness, has found its way into all textbooks on the history of architecture. Almost all the central streets of Siena converge on this most beautiful square, which, if you look at it from a height, has the shape of a shell. Despite the fact that the races themselves last a little over a minute, this competition, which, by the way, is quite unsafe, attracts many tourists here not only from Italy, but from all over the world.

Preparations for the Palio begin months in advance. The horses are carefully selected, and the inhabitants of the districts participate in many rituals, preparatory activities and festive dinners. In Piazza del Campo, before the race, a parade is held in traditional costumes.

The race itself lasts only a few minutes, but these minutes are filled with tension. Without saddles, at full speed, jockeys rush through the rocky square, trying to overtake their rivals and come to the finish line first. Winning the Palio is not just a sporting achievement. This is the embodiment of pride, history and honor of the area.

After the race, the celebration continues until late at night. The winning district celebrates its victory while the others already start preparing for the next Palio.

Palio races are not safe, the sharp corners at the base of the Sienese trapezoid are not all horses / riders can withstand

The Siena Palio is not just a competition, it is the heart and soul of Siena, a demonstration of the passion and devotion of its people to their city and its age-old traditions.

The winner becomes the most famous citizen of the city until the next race, and his name is forever inscribed in the history of Siena. Winning Paleo is like winning the Olympics. The winner becomes a real hero, but to come second (namely second) means an indelible shame! The race ends with processions through the city that last all night.