Where does the name "Palio" come from?
Siena‛s Palio is one of the most exciting
spectacles in the world; twice a year
(July 2 and August 16) the city‛s contrade,
or neighborhoods, hold a bareback horse
race around the town square in honor of
Every contrada running will want to win, and
they will offer each other money in exchange
for assistance during the race – money that
they are only expected to pay if they win. Not sporting, you might object, but in the Palio
victory that is the only goal: coming in second
is a disgrace. So, the Capitani of the contrade
meet to make deals, well aware that their rivals (each contrada has a rival) will be doing their
best to keep them from winning. While the
Capitani are bargaining, six trials, called Prove,
are held to accustom the horse with the jockey,
the track and the start, which is unique. Nine horses enter between the ropes, and the tenth
makes a running start.
