[Event] Siena: Il Palio
Eurotripper
Posted on: Wed, 24/01/2007 - 10:08
Enjoy the tradition, costumes, and revelry as local districts race their horses in the hope of winning bragging rights in this sometimes violent bareback horse competition.
Eurotrip Editor
One of my favorites. Here’s a photo I took this past year of one of the horses being led around its district before the race.
[image]local://56075/F2786821896E489B99A2BBDE55794FED.jpg[/image]
Eurotrip Editor
i am going to italy during this time, and could configure my itinerary to be in siena at the time of the second palio.
if i were to, how crowded is it?
will i be able to find accomodation? is it worth the inflated prices and crowds?
if you were staying there for two nights, would you stay before or after the palio (aug 15&16 or aug 16&17?)
thanks,
danny
You should be able to find accommodation, but just make sure to book ahead. I would suggest staying there the night before, that’s when the party begins — that night each of the contrada hang out in their sections of the city and drink and eat a large tables in the middle of various piazzas. The next day it does get a bit crowded, and if you want to actually see the race you should get in line at one of the entraces pretty early. Even if you don’t get a chance to watch the race live, it’s still worth it. There are parades before the race where each contrada shows off their horse and rider. When my fiance and I went, we hung around the headquarters of one of the contrada and ended up getting swept in the parade to the race with them and thier supporters. The horse above was the race horse for the Oca contrada last year and he was being led around the city by his trainer in the morning well before the race started. They would stop in various shops along the way where the horse was given an apple and the trainer a cup of wine. All the residents of the city are really passionate about their contrada and the race itself. It’s almost a religious experience — and if you’re in Italy at the time, I wouldn’t miss is.
Eurotrip Editor
I’ll be in Rome on the morning of the 16th. Is it worth it to train it up to Siena for Il Palio, or will there be too many travelers at that time? There is a possibility I can get there the night before, on the 15th. Is there a big party that night?
The party isn’t what you may expect — it’s a lot of people out eating and drinking and you can sit in the piazza and have a bottle wine — def’ly worth it. During the day of the race, be sure to get there early so you can watch the very cool parades for the race throughout the city. The race itsef is tough to get into unless you arrive VERY early.
Eurotrip Editor
i decided that it messed up my schedule too much to go, and now i regret it.
oh well.
this is a nice article about il palio from a sports illustrated writer.
http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2007/writers/best_game/06/17/obrien.best/index.html
I loved the Palio, and also wrote an article about it, Hope you enjoy:
http://www.mensvogue…
Thanks modern.
Eurotrip Editor