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Monday, August 17th, 2009
The Palio in Siena finally took place on Sunday as the sky was darkening at dusk.
The evocative historical parade was followed by a long and complicated “mossa“, the time where the jockeys and horses are supposed to take their alloted order so that the race can be run.
Over an hour later and after 3 false starts, the start of the race was finally decided by the setting sun rather than by the “mossiere“, the figure responsible for deciding that the alignment of the horses was mostly respected and thus the start and race valid.
Over an hour later and after 3 false starts, the start of the race was finally decided by the setting sun rather than by the “mossiere“, the figure responsible for deciding that the alignment of the horses was mostly respected and thus the start and race valid.
The Civetta or Owl contrada won the race after a 30 year dry spell. No other contrada had waited so long for such a sweet victory. One could say that nature just took its course: running after sunset helped the nocturnal creature as it entered the race at its prime time for activity.
The contrada, known as the “prior” district for having hosted the priors of the districts during a time of conflict with city hall in 1887, was also able to secure victory thanks to the ability of its jockey in taking the spot assigned to the Unicorn, its great rival, and then in masterly handling the experienced horse it had received through lottery.
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