Palio di Siena Info
- A popular event that takes place twice every year in Siena, on 2nd July and 16th August (Palio dell'Assunta). The contrade or districts of the city fight for the palio, a banner, in a cut-throat race on horseback around the medieval Piazza del Campo. It has deep historical roots but is still passionately followed by the Sienese and is a huge attraction for tourists from all over the world. There is a spectacular historical procession in brightly coloured Renaissance costumes before the race.