Le contrade of Siena

The inhabitans of Siena,when they are far from it,are called Sienese,but inside the walls their country is no longer the town,but the Contrada and they are called with the name of the latter.Aquilini for Aquila(Eagle),Brucaioli for Bruco(Caterpillar),Chiocciolini for Chiocciola(Snail),Civettini for Civetta(Owl),Dragaioli for Drago (Dragon),Giraffini for Giraffa(Giraffe),Istriciaioli for Istrice(Porcuspine),Lecaioli for Leocorno(Unicorn),Lupaioli for Lupa(She-wolf),Nicchiaioli for Nicchio(Shell),Ocaioli for Oca(Goose),Ondaioli for Onda(Wave),Panterini for Pantera(Panther),Selvaioli for Selva(Wood),Tartuchini for Tartuca(Tortoise),Torraioli for Torre(Tower),Montonaioli for Valdimontone(Ram).Today the Contrade are 17.Each of them has its own church,called Oratory,a Historical Seat,a Museum where the won Pailos are kept and society wich in the past had purpose of mutual aid,while today it organizes the free time of its citizens.The Contrade are ruled by a Council called "chair"elected every two,three or fours years by the supporters.Its hightest representative is the Priore,head of the Contrada throughout the year,helped by a Vicario Generale who is his secretary.But as for the Palio,the Contrada is under the Captain's orders,helped by two mangini.
The Palio
The custom of horse races on the occasion of religious festivities is very ancient and widespread in the Italian towns on the Middle Ages.These races were recurrent in Siena.The prize for the winner was a painted silk cloth,called "Pallium",this is why we say "to run the Palio".In Siena,The Palio,a race of ten horses called "barberi" is run in campo square twice a year.On 2nd July in honour of Our Lady of Provenzano and on 16nd August in honour of Our Lady of Assumption.But sometimes,on very special occasions it is run a third "extraordinary"Palio.The first extraordinary Palio was run on 2nd June 1861 to celebrate the proclamation of the italian kingdom.The jockeys ride bareback.The start of the horses,wich are ranged between two ropes,according to a draw order,is given by the starter,chosen by the Captains of the Contrade.When the start is worth,the horses speed three time in the magic ring of the square,passing the awful bends of Sain Martin and Casato.

When the race is finished,the Palio is immediately given to the Captain of the winning Contrada that,in turn,gives it to his elated supporters(contradaioli).They will celebrate the victory for sevaral days and nights.My maternal grandfather,Luigi Fiorentino,poet,writer,literary critic wrote:The Palio is true love,better,the soul of the Sienese.It is passion kept inside for months,anxious jelous,hidden,repressed,continuosly fed by various lymphs.It shows itself stronger and stronger,more and
more energetic even in the alliances and rivalerie,at the approach of the fatal dates 2nd July,16th August,when the heart of the Sienese identifies with the great heart of the town!Then the passion calms down,people start again to discuss and already think to the next Palio;the cycle of worries and trepidations occurs again in the years,in the centuries.As for me,the wonder of the Palio is not in the festival itself,in the riot of coloured flags,in the parade, not even in the horse race which leaves you with your heart in your mouth and takes your breath away.The wonder is when the "Campanone"(the big bell at the top of Torre del Mangia)rings and suddenly silence falls over the hugs shell of Campo,crowded with people:the tension drives the most half hearted person mad.In the culminating moments the tension breaks out in wild gestures,in shout reminding the stormy ocean,in distressed sighs,in tears to faint.Political passions,personal hard feelings,private interst are dead:only the great soul of the Palio trembles,lives,spreads over everything,tender and hard,paceful violent.
     
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The Palio
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Siena Toscana Italia
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