The Palio of Siena

Every year on July 2nd / Also August 15th

The July race is known as the Palio di Provenzano

The August race is known as the Palio dell'Assunta (after the Virgin Mary)

Where: Siena, approx 1 hour south of Florence in the Tuscany region

What is Palio?

To say that the Palio is an ordinary horse-race, would be like saying New York is just another city.

The Palio is a horse-race where the jockeys and participants dress in medieval attire. It takes place in the main piazza of Siena, a Tuscan town about an hour south of Florence and 2 hours north of Rome. Although the race actually lasts about 90 seconds, it is preceded by days of celebration, revelry and pageantry. It will be crowded and hot, but well worth it if you have a chance to see it.

Palio in Italian means "banner". The banner is the prize given to the winner.

This makes an easy day trip from Florence.

For further information:

Municipality of Siena (Comune di Siena) - Piazza del Campo 1

Ph.:+390577 292230 - 292340