The Palio Spectacle

The Palio is an event like no other in the world - part sporting event and part immersing you in a piece of living history. This bareback horse race around Siena’s central shell-shaped plaza, the Campo, unfolds with a pageant and rituals that date back hundreds of years.

Every year on July 2 and again on August 16, 10 out of Siena’s 17 Contradas are selected to compete for the Palio, a silk banner. The Contradas are named after animals and signify the different wards of the city, each with its own church and social centre. Much of the fun of the Palio occurs in the parades, festivals and dinners held by the participating Contradas in the week leading up to the race. To really get into the spirit, we suggest selecting one of the Contradas to cheer on, including wearing a brightly coloured scarf with the contrada’s colour and symbol.

Although the Palio only takes place on two dates every year we can offer a programme of activities, both cultural and sporting combined with the gastronomy of one of the most picturesque regions in Europe.