Siena’s contrade: The Contrada of the Unicorn
Posted by admin in Archive, Culture on 15. Oct, 2010 | 0 Comments
This Contrada has a very unusual history indeed; first of all its name has changed through the centuries. During early public celebrations in Siena, the Popolo di Pantaneto presented a series of festive carriages under the name of “Leocorno”, which represented stars, leopards, unicorns or other animals or themes depending on the occasion. Through time, [...]
The Imperial Contrada of the Giraffe
Posted by admin in Archive, Culture on 06. Oct, 2010 | 0 Comments
The Contrada of the Giraffe vaunts the name of Imperial after winning the Palio of 2 July 1936, by a decree issued by Victor Emanuele III of Savoia. The first mention of the Contrada was from the description of the Gioco della Pugna (an ancient type of boxing tournament) of 1424 described in the writings [...]
The Sovereign Contrada of the Porcupine – Siena
Posted by admin in Archive, Culture on 01. Oct, 2010 | 0 Comments
On the side of the baptismal font in Via Malta in Siena we can find the motto which is emblematic of the pride of the Contrada dell’Istrice “Sol per difesa io pungo” – Alone to defend, I sting). The animal representing the Contrada is symbolic of sharpness; an animal which looks on in silence, planning [...]
