The Palio of August 16th in Siena

28 giugno - festa palio

Program and Practical Advice

The Palio of Siena is an integral part of the city’s history and the Sienese people. It is held twice a year: on July 2nd in honor of the Madonna of Provenzano and on August 16th in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Each summer, in the days leading up to August 16th, the city transforms, along with the atmosphere.

If you wish to attend the trials or the Palio on August 16th, take note of the daily schedules and all practical advice: you will experience four days of events where you can delve into the history of the Palio and appreciate its key stages.

It’s important to know that only ten of the seventeen Contrade (districts) race, determined by a draw held at least twenty days before each Palio. The seven Contrade that did not race in the previous year’s Palio on the same date automatically participate, while the remaining three are drawn from the ten that did.

THE TRIALS

There are six trials, taking place every morning (around 9 AM) and every afternoon (around 7:30 PM). These trials are crucial for assessing the conditions of both the horse and the jockey. For each trial, the horse is accompanied to the Entrone from the Contrada stable by a large group of Contrada members singing traditional songs.

The fifth trial is known as the “general trial”: after this trial, the members of the ten Contrade and their guests gather in the heart of each district for a grand propitiatory dinner.

PALIO DAY

Around 8 AM, in the chapel adjacent to the Palazzo Pubblico, the Archbishop celebrates the “Messa del Fantino” (Jockey’s Mass).

Immediately after, the final trial, known as the “Provaccia” (mock trial), takes place, with the jockeys putting in minimal effort ahead of the demanding evening race.

At 10:30 AM at the Palazzo Pubblico, in the presence of the Mayor, the “segnatura dei fantini” (registration of jockeys) takes place, after which jockeys cannot be replaced for any reason. Around 3 PM, at the Contrada oratories, the horses are blessed; then the Contrada parades and the municipal figures march through the historic center, stopping in Piazza Salimbeni, at the “Casino dei Nobili,” in front of Palazzo Chigi Saracini, and in Piazza del Duomo for flag-waving exhibitions.

They then gather in Piazza del Duomo (courtyard of the Palazzo del Governo) and proceed to Piazza del Campo.

The Historical Parade enters the Piazza around 5 PM.

THE RACE

After the Parade, a mortar shot signals the horses’ exit from the Entrone. Each jockey receives an ox-hide whip, which they can use to urge their horse or hinder their rivals during the race. They approach the “mossa” (starting point), where two ropes have been stretched, and line up between them.

The starting order is determined by lot: inside a special mechanism with a long neck inserted into an oval container, ten painted balls (representing the Contrade) are placed. When the bottle is inverted, the balls randomly align along the neck, determining the starting order. This process is done three times, giving the starter two reserve alignments if the initial start isn’t valid.

The Contrade are called between the ropes in the drawn order, with the tenth entering “rincorsa” (running start), choosing the moment to initiate the race. The starter then lowers the front rope, beginning the race. If the start isn’t valid, a mortar shot stops the horses, which return to the starting point. The horses complete three laps of the track (about 1000 meters), and only the first to finish wins the glory of victory, judged by three race judges.

Even a riderless horse (scosso) can win for its Contrada.

Schedules

August 14-16 – Morning Trials

  • 8:20 AM – Pre-alert
  • 8:40 AM – Track clearing begins
  • 9:00 AM – Horses exit the Cortile del Podestà

August 13-15 – Afternoon Trials

  • 6:15 PM – Pre-alert
  • 6:45 PM – Track clearing begins
  • 7:15 PM – Horses exit the Cortile del Podestà

August 16 – Palio

  • 2:50 PM – First pre-alert
  • 3:20 PM – Second pre-alert
  • 4:10 PM – Track clearing begins
  • 4:45 PM – Carabinieri on horseback parade
  • 4:50 PM – Historical Parade enters the “Campo”
  • 7:00 PM – Horses exit the Cortile del Podestà

Practical Advice

On the afternoon of August 15th, the General Trial takes place. We recommend that those who want to watch it from inside the Piazza enter by 5:30 PM.

On Palio day, we suggest entering Piazza del Campo by 4:30 PM.

Here are the rules to follow inside the Piazza:

  • Access to the piazza is prohibited for children under 10, even if accompanied by adults.
  • Dogs are not allowed.
  • It is forbidden to bring chairs, stools, strollers, or similar objects into the piazza.
  • Bottles with caps and frozen water or drinks are not allowed.
  • Standing on bollards to watch the trials or the Palio is prohibited.
  • It is forbidden to transit or stay around the Verrocchio, behind the parade platform, behind the mattresses of S. Martino, under the platforms, within the Fonte Gaia enclosure, or at the Casato entrance.

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