La Contrada Priora della Civetta (Owl)
Posted by admin in Archive, Events on 31. Aug, 2010 | 0 Comments
On the 16 August 2009 the Palio dell’Assunta was won by the Contrada della Civetta, thanks to the tenacity of the horse Istriceddu and his jockey. The Contrada hadn’t won this race since 1979. Going back in time, the first time this Contrada won the Palio was on the 2 July 1664 and in 1673 [...]
Cantucci and Vin Santo: This Tuscan dessert is known worldwide
Posted by admin in Archive, Food & Wine on 23. Aug, 2010 | 0 Comments
Among the numerous delicacies in the traditional enogastronomy of Siena, “Cantucci and Vin Santo” deserve a special mention. In Siena it is traditional to serve a glass of Vin Santo or sweet dessert wine with a typical Tuscan “cantuccio”. The best way to savour this is to dip the cantuccio into the wine to exalt [...]
The Palio dell’Assunta: Siena’s great event
Posted by admin in Archive, Events on 16. Aug, 2010 | 0 Comments
In the early afternoon of the 16 August, just as the peals of the Sunto — the huge bell at the top of the Mangia Tower — are heard, the flag-wavers start their elegant, rhythmical dance. The protagonists or “characters”, wonderfully adorned in costumes jealously coveted in museums, form a historical procession known as the [...]
Siena’s Contrade: The Contrada of the Chiocciola (Snail)
Posted by admin in Archive, Culture, Events on 16. Aug, 2010 | 0 Comments
The first Contrada to be cited in history and still today bears its original name is the Chiocciola (Snail), named by the Sienese storyteller Gentile Sermini when describing the game of “punga” (an old form of boxing) in the XV century. The characteristic silver coat of arms of the Contrada incorporates a snail against a [...]
Siena and its Contrade: The Noble Contrada of the Eagle
Posted by admin in Archive, Culture on 16. Aug, 2010 | 0 Comments
La Nobile Contrada dell’Aquila is one of the seventeen historical subdivision of the Tuscan city of Siena. The origins of the coat of arms derives from the noble family of the Marescotti, who resided in this area in ancient times. Aquila was the last contrada of Siena to participate in the Palio. After the victory [...]
Siena and preparing for the Palio
Posted by admin in Archive, Events on 14. Aug, 2010 | 0 Comments
On the 13 August, four days before the Palio dell’Assunta is held, the ancient ceremony or “tratta” takes place which involves a draw to assign the horses (known as barberi) to the ten winning Contrade. The horse assigned to each Contrada “is considered as destiny“: under no circumstances can the horse be changed even if [...]
Siena and the role of the fortifications in medieval cities
Posted by admin in Archive, Culture on 04. Aug, 2010 | 0 Comments
The city of Siena is a prime example of how fortifications influenced the urban layout of mediaeval cities. The fundamental role of fortifications in the mediaeval city followed perfectly the symbolic representation of the city in which there were only three elements: the cathedral, the walls of the city and then the seat of power [...]
Siena and its Contrade: The Noble Contrada of the Caterpillar
Posted by admin in Archive, Culture on 02. Aug, 2010 | 0 Comments
The sixth and final trial before the Palio takes place on the 2 July — called the provaccia — was won this year by the Contrada del Bruco. The official register of the Municipality of Siena registers 34 victories to the Nobile Contrada del Bruco, the last on the 2 July 2005. The colours of [...]
