17 Contrade di Siena - Palio di Siena

In the Middle Ages, Siena was partitioned into districts called contrade. Each Contrada formed a military company which was responsible for defending Siena. Originally there were 59 contrade, but today only 17 remain. Today the only battle these contrade fight is the Palio – a competitive bareback horse race that takes place on July 2 and August 16 every year in the city's main piazza - Piazza del Campo.

Every person who was born or lives in Siena belongs to a Contrada. Each Contrada has its own symbol, motto, government, church, museum and traditions and cultures. Originally, a group of craftsmen who occupy each Contrada – Selva was made of weavers, Pantera were the chemists and grocers, Lupa was made of bakers. Today life inside a contrada is not just about loyalty or rivalry, it’s also about one’s identity. Most Contrada even have their own fountain to baptize newborn members!

The Contrade are: Eagle, Snail, Wave, Panther, Forest, Tortoise, Owl, Unicorn, Shell, Tower, Ram, Caterpillar, Dragon, Giraffe, Porcupine, She-Wolf, Goose (aquila, bruco, chiocciola, civetta, drago, giraffa, istrice, leocorno, lupa, montone, nicchio, oca, onda, pantera, selva, tartufa, torre.)

While walking around Siena’s city center, you’ll easily differentiate which contrada you are in by the flags and emblems that adorn the winding streets. The contrade are vital to Siena, serving as more than just city districts; they are living, breathing entities that foster strong community bonds, preserve traditions, and are central to the city's identity and cultural life. The contrade are deeply interwoven with the city's history and culture, particularly through the Palio, and play a significant social role in daily life. Each contrada acts as an extended family, with residents actively participating in community activities, fostering a strong sense of belonging. They have their own parish churches, social clubs, and gathering spaces, serving as centers for social interaction and community life. 

 

AQUILA (Eagle)

INSIGNA - A black eagle with two crowned heads, that holds in his claws a scepter, a sword and an imperial globe
COLORS - yellow-gold striped with azure and black
LOCATION: Aquila is situated immediately to the south-west of the Piazza del Campo in the center of the city, and is home to the Duomo (cathedral).
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION: Notaries
PATRON SAINT/ FEAST DAY - La Vergine (Madonna), 8th September
MOTTO - From the eagle the beak, the claws , the wing
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Civetta and Drago | ADVERSARY CONTRADA – Pantera
FACT - Aquila is one of only four nobile (noble) contrade; its title was bestowed by the Habsburg emperor Charles V, out of gratitude for the warm reception he received there in 1536. 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE - http://www.contradadellaquila.com/

 

BRUCO (Caterpiller)

INSIGNA - A crowned caterpillar that crawls on a twig with leaves
COLORS - yellow and green striped with azur
LOCATION - The location of the Bruco Contrada in Siena is situated to the north of the Piazza del Campo.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION – Silk Workers
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Madonna (Visitation of the Madonna), 2th July
MOTTO - "Like revolution sounds my name"
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Istrice, Nicchio and Torre
FACT - Bruco is one of only four nobile (noble) contrade; its title was earned in 1369 by its people's bravery in helping to defeat Charles IV, and consolidated in 1371 when they led the revolt to replace the Sienese council with a people's government. 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE - http://www.nobilcontradadelbruco.it/

 

CHIOCCIOLA (Snail)

INSIGNA - On its insigne (with the initials of the Kings Umberto and Margherita) there's a snail that crawls
COLORS - Yellow and red striped with deep-blue
LOCATION - The Chiocciola Contrada is situated in the south-western corner of the city.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION – Tanners
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Saint Apostles Peter and Paul, 29 June
MOTTO - "With a slow and important step the chiocciola" leaves the field triumphing"
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Istrice, Pantera and Selva | ADVERSARY CONTRADA – Tartuca

OFFICIAL WEBSITE - http://www.contradadellachiocciola.it/

 

CIVETTA (Owl)

INSIGNA - A crowned owl sitting on a branch
COLORS - Red and black striped with white
LOCATION - The Civetta Contrada in Siena is situated immediately to the north of the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION – Shoemakers
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Sanit Anthony of Padova, 13 June
MOTTO - "I see during the night"
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Aquila, Giraffa, Istrice & Pantera | ADVERSARY CONTRADA - Leocorno

OFFICIAL WEBSITE - http://www.contradadellacivetta.it/

 

DRAGO (Dragon)

INSIGNA - A flying dragon brings a feather with the letter U
COLORS - An antic pink and green striped with yellow
LOCATION - The Drago Contrada in Siena is situated to the north-west of the Piazza del Campo.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION - Bankers
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Saint Catherine of Siena, 29 April
MOTTO - "The heart that burns me becoms a flame in my mouth"
ALLIED CONTRADA - Aquila

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.contradadeldrago.it/

 

 

GIRAFFA (Giraffe)

INSIGNA - A giraffe leaded by a Moor and a ribbon with the inscription "Humbertus I dedit (devoted)"
COLORS - White and red
LOCATION- Giraffa is an affluent area of Siena situated to the north-east of the Piazza del Campo.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION - Painters
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Madonna of the Visitation, Third Sunday in July
MOTTO - "Humbertus I dedit"  ("The higher the head, the higher the glory")
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Civetta, Istrice and Pantera

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.contradadellagiraffa.it/

 

ISTRICE (Porcupine)

INSIGNA - A porcupine on a blade of grass
COLORS - White, red, blue, black (the only Contrada with four COLORS)
LOCATION - Istrice occupies the north-westernmost edge of Siena and contains the San Vincenzo e Anastasio church, home of the city's oldest surviving fresco and burial place of Pinturicchio. 
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION -  Blacksmith
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Saint Bartholomew Apostle, 24 August
MOTTO - "Only for defense I stung"
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Bruco, Chiocciola, Civetta and Giraffa | ADVERSARY CONTRADA - Lupa

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.istrice.org

 

LEOCORNO (Unicorn)

INSIGNA - A unicorn rampant with the MOTTO "Humberti regio (royal) gratia (grace)"
COLORS - White and orange striped with deep-blue
LOCATION - Leocorno is situated to the east of the Piazza del Campo in Siena.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION – Goldsmiths
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Saint John the Baptist, 24 June
MOTTO - "My purity is equal at the to the arm that I've got in face"
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Pantera and Tartuca | ADVERSARY CONTRADA - Civetta

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.contradaleocorno.it/

 

LUPA (She-Wolf)

INSIGNA - A she-wolf that nurses the twins
COLORS - White and black striped with orange
LOCATION - Lupa is situated to the north of the Piazza del Campo.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION – Bakers
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Saint Rocco Confessor, 16 August
MOTTO - "Et urbis et senarum signum et decus" (“And the city and the two cities are a sign and a glory.”)
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Nobodi | ADVERSARY CONTRADA – Istrice
FACTS - The she-wolf of this contrada refers to the legend that Siena was founded by Senius, the son of Remus who, along with his twin Romulus, was raised by a wolf. Because of this, Lupa's sister city is Rome.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.contradadellalupa.it/

 

VALDIMONTONE (Ram)

INSIGNA - A rampant ram with a crown
COLORS - Red and yellow striped by white
LOCATION - Montone is situated in the south-east of Siena near Porta Romana.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION - Tailors
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Madonna of the Buonconsiglio, 26 April
MOTTO - "Onder my blow the wall breaks down"
ALLIED CONTRADA - Onda | ADVERSARY CONTRADA – Nicchio

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.valdimontone.it/

NICCHIO (Shell)

INSIGNA - A crowned ocean-shell that is surrounded by two coral branches
COLORS - Blue with yellow and red stripes
LOCATION - Nicchio is situated in the far eastern corner of the Siena.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION – Potters
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Holy Gaetano of Thiene, 7 August
MOTTO - "It's the red of the coral that burns in my heart"
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Bruco, Onda and Tartuca | ADVERSARY CONTRADA – Valdimontone

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.nobilecontradadelnicchio.it

OCA (Goose)

INSIGNA - A crowned goose, that wears a blue ribbon on the neck with the cross of Savoy
COLORS - White and green striped with red
LOCATION - Oca is situated just to the west of the Piazza del Campo in Siena.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION - Dyers
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Saint Catherine of Siena, 29 April
MOTTO - "Clangit ad arma" (“Calls to arms”)
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Nobody | ADVERSARY CONTRADA – Torre

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.contradadelloca.it

 

ONDA (Wave)

INSIGNA - A natant dolphin
COLORS - White and sky blue (colors of heaven)
LOCATION - Onda runs south from the Piazza del Campo in the center of Siena.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION - Carpenters
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Madonna (Visitation of the Vergine Mary), 2 July
MOTTO - "The color of the Heaven, the power of the sea"
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Tartuca, Nicchio and Valdimontone | ADVERSARY CONTRADE – Torre.
FACT - Onda has the title of contrada capitana (captain contrada) because in the past its soldiers mounted guard at the Palazzo Pubblico. 

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.contradacapitanadellonda.it

 

PANTERA (Panther)

INSIGNA - A fast panther
COLORS - Red and blue striped with white
LOCATION - Pantera is situated at the western edge of Siena.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION – Chemists, Grocers
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Saint John the Baptist, 29 August
MOTTO - "My energy pulls down every obstacle"
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Chiocciola, Civetta, Giraffa and Leocorno | ADVERSARY CONTRADA – Aquila

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.contradadellapantera.it

 

SELVA (Rhinoceros)

INSIGNA - A rhinoceros at the foot of an oak with hunting tools
COLORS - Green and orange striped with white
LOCATION - Selva runs west from the Piazza del Campo in the center of the Siena.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION -  Weavers
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY- Madonna Assunta, 15 August
MOTTO -  “Prima selvalta in campo” (“First wildness in the field’)
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Chiocciola and Tartuca | ADVERSARY CONTRADA - Nobody
FACT - When the contrade were mainly military, Selva had a reputation for being excellent archers.

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.contradadellaselva.it

 

TARTUCA (Tortoise)

INSIGNA - A tortoise with alternating Savoy knots and daisies
COLORS - Yellow and deep blue
LOCATION - Tartuca is situated at the southern end of Siena
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION - Sculptors 
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Saint Anthony of Padova, 13 June
MOTTO - "I welcome power and constancy"
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Leocorno, Onda, Nicchio and Selva | ADVERSARY CONTRADA – Chiocciola

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.tartuca.it

 

TORRE (Elephant)

INSIGNA - An elephant surmounted by a tower
COLORS - Crimson red striped with white and blue
LOCATION - Torre is situated just to the south-east of the Piazza del Campo in the center of Siena, and encompasses Siena's Jewish quarter and synagogue.
TRADITIONAL PROFESSION - Woolworkers
HOLY PATRON AND HOLIDAY - Saint James the Older Apostle and Saint Anne, 25 July
MOTTO - "Beside the power, the potency"
ALLIED CONTRADAS - Bruco | ADVERSARY CONTRADA - Oca and Onda

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: http://www.contradadellatorre.it/popolo-index.asp

 

 

 

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