Palio, June 2011

Yesterday, in the Cortile del Podestà in Siena, the mayor presented this year's Palio, made by Tullio Pericoli, and dedicated to the 150th anniversary of the Unification of Italy. Below, you can see it in the picture. And here you can find detailed informations about it (in Italian though).

The Palio is the prize given to the winning district (Contrada, in Italian) of the horserace, which takes place every 2nd of July and 16th of August. It is made of silk and handpainted by an artist. Traditionally, but not always the Palio it's painted by local artists in July, while in August it's made by a "foreigner" international. In the past, we've had universally known artists such as Botero (here is a list of the artists of the 20th century).

The Palio (dedicated both in July and in August to a miraculous image of the Virgin Mary, e.g. the Virgin Mary of the ascension in August), must include the image of the Virgin Mary, the coats of arms of the City, the Province, and of the People of Siena, and the colours of the Contrada, which are taking part in the Palio. So this July we have: CHIOCCIOLA, CIVETTA, LUPA, OCA, PANTERA, TARTUCA, VALDIMONTONE, DRAGO, BRUCO E ISTRICE (snail, owl, she-wolf, goose, panther, turtle, ram, dragon, caterpillar, and porcupine).

Stay tuned! We will keep you posted on this week's horserace!