Palio Experience First Choice

he Palio di Siena is definitely the most famous horse race in the world, yet it is much more than horse racing! The Palio di Siena is history, tradition, passion, love and enthusiasm. It is a story that has been handed down for centuries and has reached the present day thanks to the passion and love of the Siena’s inhabitants. It is a tradition made of ancient and evocative rituals, a time when the city of Siena explodes in a loud and colourful cheerfulness that has nothing to envy a football stadium. Far from being a historical re-enactment exclusively tourist-orientated, many visitors come here and happily enjoy the show, though a bit disorientated by the confusion. It is precisely for this complexity that the best way to experience the Palio is by trying to fully understand all the aspects that make it so special. This is exactly what we offer: to transform the Palio di Siena into a unique and unforgettable experience. How? Thanks to the knowledgeable guides who will accompany you on an interesting tour to discover all the secrets of the Palio, the districts and the wonderful city of Siena, seizing the opportunity to witness the adrenalin-filled race from a fantastic and comfortable viewpoint.

The Palio di Siena runs twice a year, on 2nd July and 16th August: two dates respectively dedicated to the Madonna of Provenzano and the Feast of the Assumption. The opportunities to enjoy this wonderful show therefore happen twice a year. Before the race, to immerse yourselves in the atmosphere of the event, our guides will accompany you on a tour that will help you better understand what goes on behind the scenes as well as interesting facts and traditions that lie behind such an important event. They will tell you about the 17 quarters in which Siena is divided and how the feeling of belonging to one or the other district is deeply rooted in the soul of Siena’s inhabitants. They will explain how each of them contains a museum where all the Palio memorabilia are exposed: the won ‘drappelloni’, the traditional costumes and much more... because the quarters and their inhabitants are the true pulsing heart of the Palio! In the time you will spend with our guides, you will get to know the Palio but above all learn to live with respect all the moments that mark the approach of the race. In the quarters nobody ever stops working for the Palio and the four days that precede the race become even more frenetic: rehearsals in Piazza del Campo, propitiatory dinners, horse care... the ‘contradaioli’ do not rest even for a second! On the day of the event everything starts before 8 am with the Mass of the Fantino to then continue with ‘la provaccia’, the blessing of the jockeys in their respective churches until the departure of the parade.

Before attending the race our staff will explain to you in detail how it will take place, so that during the hectic moments of the race you will find it easier to understand what's going on. The Palio, in fact, is run on a ring created on the cobblestone of Piazza del Campo. It is 390 metres long and is run for three laps in a time that can go from 1 minute and 15 seconds for the so-called 'fast' Palios to 1 minute and 20 seconds for the so-called 'slow' Palios. Because of Piazza del Campo’s unique shell shape, the route has different characteristics in the various zones: from straight sections to the two curves at San Martino and Casato. Watching the Palio is an indescribable emotion, but to do so from the centre of the square, in sunny July or August and without being able to get out for more than two hours may not be so enjoyable! What’s more, the view from the centre of the square is not the best. Our tour, instead, will give you the opportunity to watch the event from one of the grandstands on the side of the track or the balconies facing the square. In both cases you will be in the area of Fonte Gaia, the wonderful fountain sculpted by Iacopo della Quercia. The Fonte, called as such by the Siena inhabitants, happy to see water finally gush out in the square, is in the upper part, where the star of the race takes place.

But let's proceed in order: of the ten contrade drawn to run in the Palio (there are seventeen in total), nine are placed between the canapi (ropes behind which the starter attempts to align the horses) while the tenth starts the Rincorsa from the area of Fonte Gaia. When the jokey of the 10th contrada passes the 'verrocchio’, the ‘mossiere’ launches the machanism which causes the ‘canapi’ (ropes behind which the starter attempts to align the horses) fall, so the race begins.

From your privileged position, comfortably seated on the grandstands or one of the balconies, you will enjoy the start of the race without losing even a second of these tantalizing moments. You will experience more intensely not only the exciting moment of the rincorsa but also the 'mossa' and the crossing of the finish line. Before the Palio starts you can also enjoy the arrival in Piazza del Campo of the beautiful costume parade consisting of 700 pageants preceded by a group of carabinieri on horse. At the first stroke of the Torre del Mangia bell tower - announcing the approach of the start of the race - the 'drappellone', ie the Palio, will also enter the square. It is carried on a cart pulled by two beautiful Chianina cows and then hoisted on the Judges' stage. After the flag-waving exhibition of the seventeen delegates representing the districts, the long-awaited Palio will finally begin. How thrilling! Wait and see: you will be dragged into the crescendo of adrenaline that fills each moments and in the end you will feel like a real Siena inhabitant too! Moreover, it is well-known that those who attend the Palio always leave a bit of their heart in Siena. Do not miss out on this wonderful opportunity and send us a reservation request for this fantastic tour... it will be a priceless experience you will always carry in your memories!