Participate in one of the most important events in Italy, the Palio di Siena! This biannual horse race in Siena is an electric display of Italian pageantry and Sienese pride. Your local guide will tour you around the city while explaining the origins of the famous Palio celebration before taking you to the pre-race ceremonies and then Piazza del Campo, where the exciting race takes place.
Meet your guide in Siena's Piazza Matteotti in the morning. You’ll start with a 2-hour walking tour of the historical city center, during which you’ll learn about the origins of the Palio races.
The Palio di Siena developed into a popular spectator sport after bullfighting was outlawed in 1590, eventually becoming a beloved tradition celebrating the Madonna di Provenzano and Madonna dell’Assunta, the protectors of Siena. Now one of the most important events in Siena and in Italy as a whole, taking place on July 2nd and August 16th each year, the Palio horse race draws fans from across the world to witness a celebration of culture, art, history and folklore in the heart of Tuscany.
Though the race itself is the highlight, there are many remarkable moments leading up to it. Savor the excitement during the pre-race ceremony, known as the ‘Blessing of the Horse’, a sacred rite that takes place inside various churches of the 17 contrade, or city districts. During this parade, the costumed horses and riders — everyone with their eye on the victorious Palio banner — are blessed by the priest before the start of the race with the phrase, “Go, and come back the winner!”
With your guide, follow the horses to Piazza del Campo for the main event, where a crowd of prideful contradaioli (citizens of each contrada) and spectators await. If you choose to standing option, you’ll stand right in the center of the piazza; if you choose the seated option, you’ll sit comfortably in the stands around the square.
Soak up the electric atmosphere of the crowd of festive fans as the jockeys dash around the plaza to the finish line. The winner garners a thunderous applause from the audience, and the victory is sure to bring good luck and pride to the winning contrada all year long.
Your guide will bid you adieu at the plaza at the end of the Palio festivities. This is the perfect place to continue celebrating with Siena locals and visitors on your own!
