Welcome to the
Palio of Siena 2024!

All you need to know about
the Palio Horse Race in Siena Italy

The Palio of Siena event is your chance to experience Medieval Siena traditions today!

Siena palio races will take you back to Italy seventeenth century and add a good portion of adrenaline to your visit to Tuscany.

Siena palio (il palio di Siena - in Italian) is truly one of most interesting festivals in Italy and in Europe gathering thousands of tourists every year.

Jump down to Palio of Siena 2024 Dates, News & Contrade

Palio of Siena 2024

Palio Siena Horse Race

The Palio Races of Siena

What is Palio in Siena Italy?

Siena palio are horse races held in Siena since 1656 (some sources give 14th century as a starting date). Although first Siena races were done with bulls and even with donkeys, later a definite switch to horses was made.

Palio horse race participants are chosen by a lot held in spring which allows only ten different Contradas to take part in palio of Siena. A certain number of Contrade have a right to participate in Palio "di obbligo" - for sure, without being selected by a lottery.

What are Contrade of Siena?

Contrada of Siena is a kind of historical local municipal government (neighborhoods) having a very long history. Siena is divided into Contradas for 800 years.

Siena Contrada Names and Flags

Initially there were 59 Contradas (Contrade) in Siena and there are left only 17 till nowadays. Each Conrad has its own symbol, a flag and a name:

Aquila (Eagle)
Bruco (Caterpillar)
Chiocciola (Snail)
Civetta (Little Owl)
Drago (Dragon)
Giraffa (Giraffe)
Istrice (Crested Porcupine)
Leocorno (Unicorn)
Lupa (She-Wolf)
Nicchio (Seashell)
Oca (Goose)
Onda (Wave)
Pantera (Panther)
Selva (Forest)
Tartuca (Tortoise)
Torre (Tower)
Valdimontone (Valley of the Ram)

Siena Contrade Flags

How are Siena Palio horses selected?

Palio horses are selected a few days before the event. All the horses must go through the test run (the tratta) in order to select 10 best horses for Palio races. All the 10 horses selected by a trial get a number written behind their ear.

"The best horse doesn't always win the race"
- Irish Saying

What are Palio dates?

Palio of Siena is summer event in Tuscany held twice. Siena Palio dates are always July 2 and August 16.

A few days before the Palio Siena piazza del Campo gets prepared for the show. The unique half-round shape of piazza del Campo perfectly allows placing the visitors in the middle and the race participants along the side.

Palio of Siena 2024 Dates & Contrade
Do you know which Contrade will participate in Siena Palio 2024?

These Contrade will for sure take part in Palio on July 2, 2024

Valdimontone, Pantera, Bruco, Leocorno, Lupa, Civetta, Oca, Giraffa, Nicchio e Onda

These Contrade will for sure take part in Palio races in August 16, 2024

Aquila, Bruco, Drago, Istrice, Oca, Pantera, Torre

July Trials start on June 29, and August Trials start on August 13.

What's so special about the Palio in Siena?
Interesting Palio Facts

The Palio and its trials are run clockwise, when most of other horse races are counter-clockwise.

Contradas can not choose the horse for races. The horses for Palio are selected by a lottery.

If a horse get injured during the trials of Palio the Contrade doesn't get another horse and has to be pulled out of Palio races.

And the funniest Siena Palio fact, in my opinion, is that the Palio itself lasts only 90 seconds!

Palio of Siena, Tuscany. Italy - 2024

And remember, when visiting Palio of Siena, if you are planning to seat in the middle of the square (Piazza del Campo) it gets very hot there in July and August.

Although the Palio itself is only 90 seconds long the parades and shows are held all day. Be careful with taking middle square places especially when traveling with babies and children.

Terrace seats are available but are normally fully booked long before the summer event in Siena. Be sure to order your Siena Palio tickets well in advance.

Take the most exciting Tuscany guided Siena tours!