The Palio di Siena – An Inescapable Summertime Event in Italy

This summer, if you are in Italy during June 28-July 2^nd or August 12-16^th, a trip to Siena to witness The Palio di Siena is a must-do experience. The Palio di Siena is a historic horse race that takes place twice a year in the town square (Piazzo del Campo) in the gorgeous hilltop town of Siena. Yes, horses race smack dab in the middle of this medieval town! For over 400 years, the Palio di Siena has been running to commemorate the Blessed Virgin Mary. The race features 10 horses and riders, each representing the different neighborhoods or contrade of Siena. The race is part of a four-day celebration, which includes trials, historic processions, a Mass for the jockeys (Messa del Fantino) including the blessing of the horses, the race itself, concluded with a Te Deum prayer of thanks for the winner and after-race festivities.

The Palio is an incredible, historic and sacred spectacle, including fierce neighborhood rivalry and pageantry, which is not to be missed. The days before and after the Palio are an incredible time to visit Siena, as the city is decorated with the colorful flags and insignia celebrating each Contrada.

Palio di Siena

GETTING TO SIENA:

CAR:
From Rome, the drive is about 2 hours and 45 minutes.
From Florence, the drive is about an hour.

BUS:
Rome: Buses generally depart from Roma Tiburtina bus station and arrive directly in central Siena. Travel time 3-3.5 hours.

Florence: The main bus station in Florence is the Autostazione Autolinee Toscane, located directly across from the Santa Maria Novella (SMN) train station on Via Santa Caterina da Siena. The bus drops you off in downtown Siena at Piazza Antonio Gramsci or Via Tozzi, putting you within a short walk of the famous Piazza del Campo and Siena Cathedral.
Travel time is about 1.5 hours.

ACCOMMODATIONS:

Hotels in Siena dn surrounding areas fill up far in advance. Consider staying about 1 hour outside of the town of Siena and driving in the day of the race.

PARKING:

You must park outside of the city walls.
For the day of the Palio, the best strategy is to park outside the city's Limited Traffic Zone (ZTL) and walk or take an escalator in. Parking lots fill up quickly, so arrive before 10:00–11:00 AM on race day.

WATCHING THE PALIO:

Watching the Palio from inside the Piazza is FREE. The shell-shaped Piazza provides a descent view from most spots. The local Sienese population tends to congregate in the Piazza, so this is definitely the spot you want to watch from if you want to partake in all the excitement. If you wish to watch the race from the boxes, terraces, or windows of the building overlooking the Piazza, you will need to pay for admission.

ATTENTION! ON THE DAY OF THE PALIO, THE SQUARE CLOSES AN HOUR AND A FIFTEEN BEFORE THE HORSES EXIT THE ENTRONE (7:30 PM IN JULY AND 7 PM IN AUGUST). WE RECOMMEND ENTERING THE SQUARE BY 4:15 PM FOR THE JULY PALIO AND BY 3:45 PM FOR THE AUGUST PALIO.

PLEASE NOTE THAT IF THE SQUARE FILLS BEFORE THAT TIME, IT WILL BE CLOSED!

In the Piazza, children under 12 are NOT allowed on the day of the Palio.

TICKETS TO THE PALIO DI SIENA:

How do I purchase tickets for boxes, terraces, and windows overlooking the Piazza?
Individual building owners sell tickets to these coveted seats. There is no general ticket sale office for these tickets. There's no coordinated ticket sales service. For assistance, email siena@ilpalio.org who may be able to assist you, as seating is not always easy to find, especially for non-Sienese residents. You may also check out https://paliodisiena.tickets/ .

ADDITIONAL INFO ON IL PALIO

RESTROOMS
There are no public restrooms available inside the Piazza del Campo.

FOOD & DRINK
All beverages must be brought in plastic bottles (without caps, as officials often require caps to be removed). No glass, cans, or water bottles. Alcoholic beverages are strictly forbidden. No coolers or containers allowed.

You may NOT bring Chairs or Stools into the Piazzo.

RAIN
If the track is wet and deemed unsuitable, the races will not take place. A Green Flag will be displayed on the facade of the Palazzo Pubblico to inform the public that the race has been cancelled. Races cancelled due to rain will not be made up.

Things NOT to do during the Palio?
Please respect the Sienese and their customs.

Do not attempt to approach the horses in any way. The Contrada stables are protected by barriers guarded by Contrade members. Passing through these barriers is strictly forbidden. In addition, shouting at or disturbing the horses in any way is NOT permitted.
Do NOT disturb or speak to the Jockeys as they accompany their horses to and from the race.
When in the Piazzo, it is forbidden to wave flags or handkerchiefs, nor hold up tablets which could disturb the view of the jockeys.
Do NOT whistle or yell disapprovingly.
If Contrada members ask you to move or leave a certain area, follow their instructions. This applies throughout the four days of trials, as well as before and after the race.
In the event of a fight or confrontation between members of rival Contrade, move away immediately, and above all, do not try to take photographs or film the fight.

For additional information on the Palio di Siena, visit IlPalio.org

(Photo Credits: Wikipedia Commons)