Palio: Dates

There are two Palio races every year: July 2 and August 16. In the Middle Ages, there was just an August Palio reserved for the local nobility and their guests. A second “people’s” Palio was added in July to include all of Siena’s citizens. What follows is a brief summary of what happens before each Palio. The process is the same each year.

 

In Siena, Palio preparations never stop. Losing contrade start planning future victories immediately after a race. Within weeks, buyers are dispatched as far away as Sardinia to acquire new horses. Contrada representatives approach new or experienced jockeys in the hopes of hiring them for the next Palio. Meetings between contrade representatives continue throughout the year to forge alliances, thwart adversaries, often with money changing hands.  

 

In the past, all 17 contrade raced 17 different horses in each Palio. Some time in the 18^th century, race organizers reduced this number to 10. The reasons were simple: first, the starting line in the Piazza del Campo is not wide enough to accommodate 17 horses. Second, the Palio is an “anything goes” race where jockeys can push, shove and whip each other to win. With 17 horses on the starting line and 17 jockeys jostling to win, the race was dangerously unmanageable. This is why just 10 contrade race today. The 7 contrade that did not participate in the previous Palio are automatically selected for the next race. This leaves 3 available spots to be selected by lottery. For the lottery, Siena’s mayor convenes representatives from all 17 contrade. Held in city hall, lots are drawn to first select 3 contrade captains. Each captain then draws a lot from the remaining 10 contrade not automatically selected for the next Palio to determine who will race. The tension is unbearable. Naturally, a captain wants to select his own contrade or at least an ally. Unlucky captains often select an adversary to the immense disappointment of their contrade. There is interesting symbolism in the lottery. While the government (via the mayor) provides the forum, it is the contrade that select the racers. This separation of contrade from the state has existed since the race’s inception and continues to this day.

 

After an entire year of fund raising, prayers, practice and preparation, who wins is often left to chance. Another lottery, this one public, is held in the Piazza del Campo by the race organizers just 4 days before the Palio race. This lottery selects which horses will race for each contrade. Many of the horses in this pool have raced before and won. Of course each contrade desperately wants to have the fastest and most experienced horse so a great deal is at stake. As lots are drawn, the tension is again unbearable. Tears of joy or disappointment often follow the selection. Once chosen among whoops and hollers, the lead stable hand will take the nervous horse directly the contrada’s private stable.

 

Organizers hold a series of practice Palio races. While the various contrade will attend each race, they are symbolic races and serve only to heighten anticipation and speculation as to who will win.

 

Following a final trial race, each district’s priest blesses their horse in the contrada chapel. Following the ceremony, the contrade organize vast outdoor dinners in their district’s largest square. Depending on the district, hundreds and sometimes thousands of people attend. The streets are filled with wine and song but everyone is thinking about the next day’s race. A head table is provided for the contrada’s representatives, similar to a board of directors. The jockey sits next to the contrada’s elected captain and the captain often makes a speech. These are joyous but nervous occasions as everyone knows there can only be 1 winner and yet 9 losers.  

 

Not unlike Christmas Eve, few in any contrada sleep the day before a race. Masses are held, traditional costumes donned, and the horse fed and groomed for the final race. For more information about the race, please click here to see our race background page.