(JULY PALIO, 2022: Scroll to the bottom for a list of the ten contrade that will compete in the upcoming Palio, based on the extraction (estrazione) which took place on May 29, 2022. Visitors who are fortunate enough to be in Siena during the days of the Palio (by sheer accident or otherwise) are often … Continue reading The Extraction of the Contrade: How Ten Competitors are Chosen for the Palio
Tag: siena contradas
Why do the Sienese wear neck scarves?
Excerpt adapted in part from my book, Living the Palio. Panther contradaioli (contrada members) wearing their fazzoletti while walking to the Duomo on the day of the Palio The strongest direct symbol of personal contrada identity is the contrada scarf, or fazzoletto, which is typically worn around one’s neck. Today, as in the past, the … Continue reading Why do the Sienese wear neck scarves?
Understanding Siena’s 17 Contrade
Exerpt adapted from my book, Living the Palio. (It's already written, so I'm happy to share it here.) The Goose contrada membership enjoying the pre-Palio dinner, the cena della prova generale on July 1, 2018. To understand the Palio race, one should become acquainted to some extent with Siena’s seventeen distinct neighborhoods, known as contrade … Continue reading Understanding Siena’s 17 Contrade
The Siena Visitor 