Racing to the Past: The Palio

Siena, the best Gothic experience Italy can offer, holds more than just the architecture. This city is set up in the traditional medieval style. The town center revolves around the town hall. While Florence offers the more commercialized experience, Siena offers the soul an experience, and ties in massive amounts of historical background. If one visits Siena on either July 2 or August 14, they would be able to watch one of the oldest horse races: the Palio.
The Palio is a competition between 10 of the 17 neighborhoods chosen at random. This race
Palio Horse Race
was a yearly occurrence dating as far back as 15th century. The race though has deeper meaning. It was ran in honor of the patroness and advocate of Siena, Madonna dell’Assunta. She protected the Sienese military at the battle of Monteapeti on September 4, 1260. After the victory over the Florentines, Siena broke itself into Contradas, or districts. The Palio started out as a horse race between the 59 districts. Now though, there are only 17, and the race rotates between 10 of them. This race brings together all 17 neighborhoods in a friendly competition between the cities in which the winner earns a year of bragging rights. The race itself is not medieval, but the city and the reason the race came into being is.


Sources:
"Palio Di Siena - Siena's Palio Horse Race  All about the Palio." Palio Di Siena - Siena's Palio Horse Race All about the Palio. N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Oct. 2015. http://www.ilpalio.org/palioenglish.htm

Steves, Rick. "Siena and Its Crazy Horse Race." History, Travel, Arts, Science, People, Places |             Smithsonian. Smithsonian, 2009. Web. 23 Oct. 2015. http://www.smithsonianmag.com/ricksteves/siena-and-its-crazy-horse-race-20432031/?all
By at

3 comments:

  1. UnknownOctober 25, 2015 1:03 PM

    This is rather similar to the competitions held in ancient Byzantium, and the way it's laid out is exactly the same. Maybe a medieval Justinian can meet a medieval Theodora.

    ReplyDelete
  2. shelley w.October 26, 2015 10:03 PM

    I have been able to visit the city hall and peak out the windows onto the piazza (these tickets for the Palia cost extra $$$). I also had a beautiful experience in Siena at night when schoolchildren lit candles and floated them up high in the sky (Tyler, I was worried the buildings would burn!!)-but I have never been to the Palio. Perhaps we should watch some in class?

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownOctober 29, 2015 3:05 PM

    Great post! I really would love to experience the Sienese palio one of these days! I did not know of the palio's association Madonna dell'Assunta, how interesting! Good job!

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)

Medieval University

Medieval University

Italy, 1400

Italy, 1400

900s, Jewelled crown

900s, Jewelled crown