The Palio Announcements

5-30-10

On Sunday evening the Palio announcements for which Contrada’s horses were going to be participating in the July race. This announcement takes place in the Piazza del Campo and most of Siena 60,000 people are present for the declaration. The Contrada I live in, the Unicorn Contrada, had already been selected to participate. However, we were so exited when they announced the Porcupine Contrada was selected, as it is where we attend school and where our very proud teacher Silvia resides. The other two selected were the Wave and the Dragon Contrada’s. When each one was announced the residents of the Contrada would sprint down from the Piazza to the town hall building screaming, crying and dancing with excitement. Several members of the Contrada were so excited that they began climbing up the walls of town hall to try and touch their flag – a good 50 feet above them.


Reppin' my Contrada - the Unicorn!

It was such a great experience to be apart of a tradition that has lasted for centuries, and really gave us an insight to the pride the Sienese people have for their particular culture and city.