Sunday, August 29, 2010
Friday, July 16, 2010
Why il Palio?
Siena is a beautiful town situated in Tuscany, about 45 miles south of Florence. It flourished in the 1400's. Since then, there had been regular races and competitions between the various neighborhoods, or 'contrade'. The first modern race was in 1656, and they are run annually, twice a year.
Here's a brief description, and it has been an event that I have always wanted to experience:
"Siena’s Piazza del Campo is a town square shaped like an oval slopping gently down to the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia, it is divided into sections representing the city’s nine rulers in the 1400s, known (bluntly enough) as the Council of Nine. But the Piazza’s striking medieval ambiance is not only due to the surrounding architecture – but for a race. For most of June, July and August, the entire city is devoted to Il Palio, a series of horse races held in the Piazza whose ancient passions makes the Kentucky Derby seem like a fly-by-night event. The festival’s contours have not changed since the 1100s, when members of the city’s 17 contrade, or town districts, began to compete with one another in track events. The two central races are held every July 2 and August 16, but the pageantry and excitement dominate Siena for the entire summer. "
Here's a brief description, and it has been an event that I have always wanted to experience:
"Siena’s Piazza del Campo is a town square shaped like an oval slopping gently down to the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia, it is divided into sections representing the city’s nine rulers in the 1400s, known (bluntly enough) as the Council of Nine. But the Piazza’s striking medieval ambiance is not only due to the surrounding architecture – but for a race. For most of June, July and August, the entire city is devoted to Il Palio, a series of horse races held in the Piazza whose ancient passions makes the Kentucky Derby seem like a fly-by-night event. The festival’s contours have not changed since the 1100s, when members of the city’s 17 contrade, or town districts, began to compete with one another in track events. The two central races are held every July 2 and August 16, but the pageantry and excitement dominate Siena for the entire summer. "
Tuesday, July 6, 2010
What is il Palio?
This event has fascinated me for years. The first races began in the 1500's, and it's a combination of tradition and fierce neighborhood pride, mixed in with a little treachery. Although the race is over in under 2 minutes, the build up prior to the race will be a sight to see. Here is a brief overview of the event.....
"The Palio di Siena (known locally simply as Il Palio) is a horse race held twice each year on July 2 and August 16 in Siena, Italy, in which ten horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the appropriate colours, represent ten of the seventeen Contrade, or city wards. The Palio held on July 2 is named Palio di Provenzano, in honour of Madonna di Provenzano, who has a church in Siena. The Palio held on August 16 is named Palio dell'Assunta, in honour of Assumption of Mary.
A magnificent pageant, the Corteo Storico, precedes the race, which attracts visitors and spectators from around the world.
The race itself, in which the jockeys ride bareback, involves circling the Piazza del Campo, on which a thick layer of dirt has been laid, three times and usually lasts no more than 90 seconds. It is not uncommon for a few of the jockeys to be thrown off their horses while making the treacherous turns in the piazza and indeed it is not unusual to see unmounted horses finishing the race without their jockeys. The Palio in fact is won by the horse who represents his contrada, and not by the jockeys."
"The Palio di Siena (known locally simply as Il Palio) is a horse race held twice each year on July 2 and August 16 in Siena, Italy, in which ten horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the appropriate colours, represent ten of the seventeen Contrade, or city wards. The Palio held on July 2 is named Palio di Provenzano, in honour of Madonna di Provenzano, who has a church in Siena. The Palio held on August 16 is named Palio dell'Assunta, in honour of Assumption of Mary.
A magnificent pageant, the Corteo Storico, precedes the race, which attracts visitors and spectators from around the world.
The race itself, in which the jockeys ride bareback, involves circling the Piazza del Campo, on which a thick layer of dirt has been laid, three times and usually lasts no more than 90 seconds. It is not uncommon for a few of the jockeys to be thrown off their horses while making the treacherous turns in the piazza and indeed it is not unusual to see unmounted horses finishing the race without their jockeys. The Palio in fact is won by the horse who represents his contrada, and not by the jockeys."
Trip Logistics
Arrive Siena after non-stop to Rome, and connection to Florence
Three nights in Siena
Train travel to Venice for two nights on Grand Canal
Train to Rome for two nights near Piazza di Popolo
Non-stop to Boston
More details to follow.
Three nights in Siena
Train travel to Venice for two nights on Grand Canal
Train to Rome for two nights near Piazza di Popolo
Non-stop to Boston
More details to follow.
Trip to Italy - 2010
We started planning this trip in April, and it will be a great opportunity to go back to Italy to visit Venice and Rome, and also to participate in an event that has captured my imagination for years, il Palio, taking place in Siena.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)