The Palio...........more than just a horse race! Each neighborhood in the City of Siena, 17 in all each have a chance in the race. Out of the 17 only 10 are selected for the race in August (the race is also run in June). This is a huge celebration not only in public stature but also has enormous religious implications.  The winners are escorted to the Duomo, the main church in Siena and there they are blessed, giving them and their children a "rebirth"! Some people walk around with baby pacifiers in their mouths to mark the occasion! Each Contrada (neighborhood) has it's p\own colors as well as flag and as you walk through the City the flags are hanging from buildings.  People from those Contradas also where scarfs with the colors which are given to them at birth.

The race is held in the main Campo or public square in Siena and the Final race is attended by upwards of 60,000 people. THe photos here were taken the day before the Final race and were "practice" sessions for the rider and their horse.

There is a procession through the city into the Campo where the fans follow their horse. We joined in with the neighborhood called Chiocciola or the Snail.

The night before the the Palio there is a BIG dinner in the Contrada. We were on the far side of the City and were joined by a hungry crowd of 2000 Italians mostly. We sat at a table at the far end, Table 22 which was mostly foreigners. We sat next to a family from Connecticut and a group from South Africa! Pasta and red wine of course.

Mangia bene! Ciao a presto!