Palio di Siena

The Palio in Siena is horse race, the most spectacular holiday in Italy. This is a horse race that takes place twice a year - in early June or July and in mid-August in Campo Square. It dates back to the 13th century. The Palio is a battle between 17 counters (districts) surrounding Siena, and thousands of people living in them come each year to support their representatives. Each counter has its own church, meeting club, museum, flag, emblem animal, orchestra of drums and flag bearers. Only ten of the counters are allowed to participate, being selected by lot. The race is always contested and spectacular.
The Palio starts with a parade in the morning, while the race itself starts at seven in the evening. The colors are spectacular and the atmosphere is electrified until late in the evening. In racing, the only rule is that jockeys do not touch the reins of the opponent. The race lasted 90 seconds and was fraught with danger and violence for both riders and horses. The winner wins a flag called "pallium", hence the name of the competition.
If you are in Siena during the Palio, you will become part of a spectacular spectacle, one of the tireless spectators of the show, who would prefer to stay in Campo Square all night, as long as they reserve a place for the next day.