10 riders have hurtled bareback around Siena's shell-shaped central square every year in a desperate bid to win the Palio
 |
| www.palio-siena.com The start line. |
Ten riders hurtled bareback around Siena's central shell-shaped square in the race known as Il Palio yesterday. The Palio has taken place every year in July and August since the mid-1600s. The Palio itself is the prize, a silk banner depicting the Madonna and child.
The horses and their jockeys come from each of Siena's contrade, or districts, and are blessed in church before they head for the historic Piazza del Campo for a race which lasts barely a minute and a half. Some critics would say that the blessing is just as well, because the race is notoriously dangerous. Each year, there are calls from animal rights activists to halt the event, which often results in injury or death to riders and horses. The race is preceded by a spectacular pageant, which includes alfieri, or flag-wavers, in medieval costumes. Just before the pageant, a squad of mounted carabinieri wielding swords demonstrate a charge.
************************************************************************************* Spyns is an active travel company offering small group tours to Siena, Italy Palio festival. For more information or to chat with us live about Palio and our company, please visit www.palio-siena.com or contact us info@palio-siena.com or toll-free at 1.888.825.4720. Copyright Spynstours Ltd. 2011-2015.
