Palio
Siena, Italy

 

 

Why Il  Palio
is special

It is the world's most thrilling and frenetic public horse race. The Palio takes place in the picturesque Piazza del Campo of the Tuscan hilltop town of Siena. They ride bareback and lavishly wear the colors and symbols of their contrades (town districts).

The race dates back to 1656 - and has been run virtually every year since.

When to go

Dates

The Palio takes place twice a year:

July 2
August 16

If you cannot make those race, you can view "trial" races that are held before each race date.

How the Palio
race is run

Three major elements

Track
The horses run on a narrow track around the perimeter of the main piazza.
Laps
The race is three laps around the piazza.
Speed
Horses gallop at breakneck speed and the race lasts just 90 or so seconds
Winner
The horse that crosses the finish line first wins, with or without its jockey.

Unscrupulous tactics

Il Palio is known for its unscrupulous tactics. This can take form in bribery (paying off another contrade to lose or to keep another horse from winning), in doping (a horse), or in unsportsmanlike conduct (such as a jockey whipping a competitor's horse or rider). You may even see jockeys making last-minute deals at the starting line.

Accidents

In some years, accidents occur to horses, jockeys and spectators.

Palio - Page two

Contestants

Spectators

Italian Government Tourist Board

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