Palio di Siena
July 2nd and August 16th
The Palio di Siena is one of the most iconic and thrilling events in Italy, bringing the whole city together in a spectacle of tradition, pride, and excitement. Piazza del Campo, in all its beauty, is transformed into a racing ground for the horses, with tufo blocks laid down to create the track for the competition. The central and lateral parts of the square are beautifully arranged to welcome the authorities, participants, and thousands of spectators who come from all over the world.
The origin of this race are medieval, and the first modern Palio took place in 1656. The races take place with ten horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the appropriate colors representing ten of the seventeen contrade, or city wards - the riders circle three times around Piazza del Campo, one of the symbols of Siena. The race is preceded by a magnificiant pageant, the Corteo Storico, which includes (among many others) Alfieri, flag-wavers in medieval costumes.
At Castel Monastero, we offer our guests the unique opportunity to experience the Palio from an exclusive position—whether from a window or a balcony of one of our apartments overlooking Piazza del Campo. In addition, guests can enjoy the "cena della prova generale," a traditional family-style dinner shared with locals in the streets of a Contrada. This special dinner, held in celebration of the upcoming race, is believed to bring good luck and is an unforgettable way to immerse in the festive spirit, surrounded by the vibrant colors and flags of the Contrada.