Tag: Palio

Finally July is here!

July 2, 2010

Finally it’s summer with hot days, unfortunately the heat has also called given life to lots of mosquitoes as well. The gray rainy days of just two weeks ago are a memory and summer begins with the first Palio of the year. In fact, today July 2 is the Palio of Provenzano. I won’t go…

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The Day After

August 17, 2009

photo by fairlybuoyant 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…

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Palio di Siena: this Sunday August 16

August 13, 2009

Today, Thursday August 13 the only flower which grows on tufo, or tuff rock began to bloom: the Palio di Siena. This is an evergreen plant which blooms only twice a year, once being at the height of summer on the 16th of August for the feast of the Virgin Mary’s Assumption. The flower emanates an intoxicating, giddy…

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Palio delle Contrade and Joust of the Star

September 11, 2008

Anyone interested in games and a Joust this weekend? This coming up Sunday, September 14, Bagno a Ripoli‘s historical center will be the setting for the the Joust of the Star. The four quarters or contrade of the town compete against each other starting at 4 p.m. in several games, including a tug-of-war and various…

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Montepulciano – Bravio delle Botti

August 29, 2008

photo by ellepizero This is just a quick post to let our readers know that this Sunday, August 31 the town on Montepulciano in southern Tuscany will be the set of the annual competition between the town’s 8 contrade (or districts) known as the Bravìo delle Botti. The event is a contest between the various…

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“Knick-knack” wins the Palio in Siena

August 21, 2008

photo by one from rm The Palio of the Assumption took place on the 16th of August in Siena’s Piazza del Campo as it does every year, but this particular edition truly showed its ancient, exciting roots more so than past races. It all began with the traditional Sienese way of sorting out who had…

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