Siena
Palio
One of the World's Most Famous Horse Races
Piazza del Campo
Siena, 53052
The Palio Horse Race is an annual event that commemorates the miraculous appearance of The Virgin Mary near the houses of Provenzano Salvani. The first Palio, run in 1656 was called the "Madonna di Provenzano". There are two bareback horse races each summer, held on July 2 and August 16. The race is held between 7:30p-8p in Piazza del Campo after the historical procession featuring a colorful parade of men in rich medieval outfits and horses preparing for the race. It is a fascinating spectacle that can be a little cruel, and the real protagonists are the horses who continue to race (and can still win) even if they lose their jockeys. The real surprise, though, for those who have not seen it, is that the race lasts little more than five minutes as it circles the edge of the field.
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