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