Palio di Siena
August 16 · Level 10 · #84 of 2238
The Palio di Siena is a horse race between the city's neighbourhoods, known as contrade, with a painted banner as the prize. The August race is associated with the Assumption of Mary, while neighbourhood pride gives the contest its extraordinary intensity.
How it is celebrated: historical processions, communal dinners and blessings for the horses build up to the race. Riders then circle Piazza del Campo three times, riding bareback.
A horse can win even after losing its rider: victory belongs to the horse and its contrada. Ten of Siena's seventeen contrade compete in each race.