There are 17 contrada (districts) in Siena, Italy. It is impossible for anyone born outside of Siena to understand how important these districts are to their citizens. In a town of less than 60,000, every contrada has its own museum, fountain and baptismal font, motto, anthem, allies, and enemies (referred to by the Siennese as “adversaries”). There were originally 59 contrade but only 17 remain today. The Siennese are born, baptized, married and die in their contrade. The Palio is simply the culmination of their love and allegiance to each contrada. The districts are:
Aquila (Eagle)
Aquila is situated immediately to the south-west of the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city, and is home to the duomo (cathedral). Traditionally, its residents were notaries. The district’s last victory was July 3, 1992 (Andrea de Gortes on Vinegar on Floater) for a total 24 official victories. Aquila's symbol is a double-headed black eagle holding an orb, a sword and a sceptre. Its colours are yellow, trimmed with blue and black. Aquila is one of only four nobile (noble) contrade; a title was bestowed by the Habsburg emperor Charles V following his visit to Siena. The contrada's museum is home to the oldest surviving Palio di Siena banner, dating from 1719. Aquila's patron Saint is the Blessed Virgin Mary with a feast day of September 8. Aquila’s allies are Civetta (Owl) and Drago (Dragon) contrade. Their arch rival is Pantera (Panther).
Bruco (Caterpillar)
Bruco district is north of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents worked in the silk trade. Bruco's symbol is a crowned caterpillar on a rose. Its colours are green and yellow, trimmed with blue. Bruco is one of only four nobile (noble) contrade, a title bestowed in 1369 when Bruco soldiers helped defeat Charles IV. The district’s patron Saint is the Madonna with a feast day of July 2; coincidentally Palio race day. Its motto is "Come rivoluzion suona il mio nome" (Revolution, sounds my name). It is allied to Istrice, Nicchio and Torre with no official enemies. Bruco won the August 2008 palio for a total 37 wins. “Venemous, the people of the Caterpillar” is an expression often heard in Siena. The people of Caterpillar district have a reputation for being quick to anger.
Chiocciola (Snail)
Chiocciola is situated in the south-western corner of the city. Traditionally, its residents worked as terracotta makers. Chiocciola's symbol is a snail. Its colours are red and yellow, trimmed with blue. Its motto, not surprisingly, is “With slow and deliberate steps, snail leaves the battlefield triumphant.” The district’s patron saints are the apostles Peter and Paul with a feast day of June 29. Chiocciola's official enemy is the Tortoise. Their last victory was on August 16, 1999. There is an expression in Siena, “The people of the Snail, drowners of saints.” In 1888, after losing a Palio the district was so angry that they put a statue of Saint Anthony (patron saint of horses) down into a well. The statue wasn’t removed until 1910 and the district won in 1911.
Civetta (Little Owl)
Civetta is Siena’s smallest district situated immediately to the north of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents were bankers & shoemakers. Civetta's symbol is a crowned owl sitting on a branch and its motto is, “I see in the night.” Its colours are red and black striped with white. Civetta has the unfortunate nickname of Nonna “granny” because it hasn't won a palio for over 30+ years. The district’s patron is Saint Anthony with a feast day of June 13. Civetta’s last win was in 1979. Its allies are Aquila, Giraffa, Istrice and Pantera. Its arch enemy is Leocorno (winner of the August 2007 Palio). The Siennese say, “The people of the Owl are owlish looking.” The owl is commonly a symbol for envy and the hooting owl is apparently saying, “All mine! All mine!” Many banks were located in the district so the association may have been relevant.
Drago (Dragon)
Drago district is north-west of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents were bankers so it has a reputation for being affluent. Drago's symbol is a flying golden dragon carrying a banner with the letter "u". Its colours are red and green, trimmed with yellow. Its motto is “flames in my snout, fire in my heart.” Drago’s patron saint is Saint Catherine of Siena with a feast day of April 29. Like Oca, Drago has no adversaries but it is allied with Aquila. Drago last won in August 2001 for a total of 36 victories.
Giraffa (Giraffe)
Giraffa is an affluent area of the city situated to the north-east of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents were painters. Giraffa's symbol is a giraffe led by an Arab (Moor), and a ribbon bearing the motto "Humbertus I dedit" (King “Umberto I bestowed it"). Its colours are white and red. Giraffa. The district has the impressive title of contrada imperiale (imperial contrada), conferred by King Vittorio Emanuele III when the district won the 1936 palio in 1936, the year the race was dedicated to Italy's empire in East Africa. The district last won in 1997 for a total of 32 victories.
Istrice (Porcupine)
Istrice occupies the north-westernmost edge of Siena and contains the San Vincenzo e Anastasio church, home of the city's oldest surviving fresco and burial place of the famous Renaissance painter Pinturicchio. Istrice's symbol is a porcupine and its motto is “Only for defense I sting.” Its colours are red, white, blue and black. Istrice has the title of contrada sovrana (sovereign contrada), a title gained because of its association with Sovereign Military Order of the Knights of Malta during the 14th century. Istrice won the Palio in July 2008 for a total of 40 victories. The Siennese say, “People of the Porcupine, of all seventeen” which may mean there are more people than spirit in this district or that its citizens are “wishy-washy.”
Leocorno (Unicorn)
Leocorno district is west of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents were goldsmiths. Its patron saint is John the Babtist whose feast day is June 24. Leocorno's symbol is a unicorn, rampant, with the motto "Humberti regio gratia" ("A kingdom by the grace of Umberto"). Its colours are orange and white, bordered with blue. Leocorno won the August Palio in 2007, much to the chagrin of its sworn enemies in Civetta. It has won a total of 28 Palios.
Lupa (She-Wolf)
Lupa district is north of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, the residents of Lupa were bakers. Lupa's symbol is a she-wolf nursing twins: Remus (father of Senius, founder of Siena) and Romulus (founder of Rome). Its colours are black and white, trimmed with orange. Lupa's sister city is Rome. The Lupa museum's prize exhibit is a photograph of Giuseppe Garibaldi, which he donated to the contrada on its victory in the Palio di Siena of 1867. It has no official allies and Istrice is its sworn enemy.
Nicchio (Seashell)
Nicchio is on the eastern extremity of Siena. Traditionally, its residents worked as potters. The Siennese from rival contrada often say, “They stink, the people of the Shell” although no one knows where the malodorous reputation came from. Nicchio's symbol is a crowned scallop shell flanked by two branches of coral. Its colours are blue, with yellow and red trim. Nicchio is one of only four nobile (noble) contrade and earned its title for bravery the famous Battle of Montaperti against Florence in 1260 when Siena’s smaller army routed their Florentine enemies. Nicchio is allied with Bruco, Onda and Tartuca and dislikes its neighbour, Valdimontone.
Oca (Goose)
Few contrada stir strong emotions as Oca. Of all the contrade, Oca holds the record for most palios won (61) so as you can imagine, it is universally disliked. This proud district has no allies and but one adversary: Torre (tower). Oca is situated just west of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents made dyes. Oca's symbol is a crowned goose sporting a blue ribbon marked with the Savoy cross. Its colours are green and white, trimmed with red. Oca is one of only four nobili (noble) contrade; it earned its title for its people's bravery during many battles fought by the former Sienese Republic. Oca won the July 2007 palio on a horse called Fedora Saura. Its patron saint is Saint Catherine of Siena with a feast day of April 29.
Onda (Wave)
Onda is south of the Piazza del Campo. A long and narrow district, it does to the edge of the city. Traditionally, its residents were carpenters. Onda's symbol is a dolphin. Its colours are white and sky blue. The condrada describes itself as "The colour of Heaven, the force of the sea." Rival contrada say, “Those who handle intestines, people of the Goose” in reference to Siena’s slaughterhouse located in the district. Onda has the title of contrada capitana (captain contrada). In the past its soldiers mounted guard at the Palazzo Pubblico (city hall). One of the famous members of Onda was the sculptor Giovanni Dupria whom the main street in Onda is named after. Onda's adversary is Torre. The colours are White and Blue. It has won 37 palios and most recently won in 1995. The district’s patron saint is the Madonna (the blessed virgin) and its feast day is July 2.
Pantera (Panther)
Pantera is situated at the western edge of the city. Traditionally, its residents were grocers and chemists. The district’s patron saint is Saint John whose feast day is August 29. Pantera's symbol is a panther. Its colours are red, blue and white. Its has a large number of allies: Chiocciola; Civetta; Giraffa; and Leocorno. Its arch-rival is Aquila. Pantera last won a palio in 1995 for a total of 25 victories. Rival contrada say “Gravediggers, people of the Panther” as Siena’s cemetery is located in the district.
Selva (Forest)
Selva runs west from the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city. Traditionally, its residents were weavers, but when the contrade had a military function its citizens had a reputation for being excellent archers. Selva's symbol is a rhinoceros at the base of an oak tree hung with hunting tools. Its colours are green and orange, bordered with white. Selva won the August 2006 Palio with a horse called Caro Amico. Its motto is “Highest in the field.” Selva’s last victory was in 2003 for a total 33 wins. The district’s patron saint is the Madonna (the Blessed Virgin) with a feast day of August 13. Its allies are Chiocciola and Tartuca. It has no adversaries so rivals often say, “Male nurses, the people of the forest” as the city’s main hospital was once located in the district.
Tartuca (Tortoise)
Rival Siennese refer to the district as, “Bullies, the people of the Turtle” because they have a reputation for arrogance. Tartuca is situated at the southern end of the city next to Onda and Chiocciola. Traditionally, its residents were sculptors. Tartuca's symbol is a turtle with alternating Savoy knots and daisies. Its colours are yellow and deep blue. It is opposed to Chiocciola (snail) and counts Leocorno, Onda, Nicchio and Selva among its allies. Anthony of Padova is Tartuca’s patron saint with a feast day of June 13. The district’s motto is “power and consistency.” It last won in 2002 for a total 44 victories.
Torre (Tower)
Torre is situated south-east of the Piazza del Campo in the city centre. It encompasses Siena's former Jewish quarter and synagogue. Rival contrada sang or chanted “Blood of Hebrews, the people of the Tower” although few Jewish families remain. Traditionally, its residents worked as woolcombers. Torre's symbol is an elephant (the contrada's original name was Liofante or Lionfante) with a tower on its back. Its colours are crimson, striped with white and blue. Onda is Torre’s official ally. Its arch enemies are Oca and Onda. Lately Oca (goose) has become Torre’s rival but this is far from surprising since all contrada are jealous of Oca’s 60+ wins. The district has won 43 palios.
Valdimontone (Ram)
Rival contrada say, “Cuckolds, the people of the ram.” The Italian word “becchi” means both “cuckold” and “ram”. A cuckold is a man with an unfaithful wife so this double-entendre is the ultimate insult to the macho Italians. Valdimontone is situated in the south-east of the city near Porta Romana. Traditionally, its residents were tailors. Valdimontone's symbol is a crowned ram with a blue shield with the letter "u" for Umberto (at one time the King of Italy). Its colours are red and yellow with white trim. Allied with Onda, it is opposed to neighbouring Nicchio. Valdimontone has won 43 races.
