Days: these treasures, jealously kept by the Sienese people, can be visited on a regular basis on weekdays (Monday and Wednesday nights) only through our agency
Departure: From Siena: 9:00 p.m. from your accommodation From San Gimignano: 8.15 p.m. from your accommodation
Duration of the tour: approximately 2 hours
Minimum number of participants: 2
Promotions: discount of 10 Euro per person when booking additional tours

The Middle Ages turned Siena into a jewel of unique artistic and architectural grandeur, a definite must for the tourist who sets out to discover the beauty of Tuscany.
The narrow roads sided by tall buildings and lit by dim street-lamps, the churches, the squares and the monuments that convey history are the jealous custodians of a heart that beats in the chest of all Sienese: the Palio.
Far from being an ancient festival exhumed and organised for the sake of tourists, the Palio has been the essence of life for the people of Siena over the centuries and the expression of its feelings and emotions.
The race around the Piazza del Campo, as it takes place today, still observes some of the rules established back in 1644, in an uninterrupted continuity.
The town’s territory is subdivided into 17 districts called Contrade. Each one has the boundaries set in 1729 by the Proclamation of Violante of Baviera, Governor of the town.
Starting from the 1300’s, the town was divided into three Terzi (thirds), and each one organised, for each district (there were 42 at the time), military forces entrusted to defend the Commune in case of war. Between the 1400’s and the 1600’s, having lost their initial defensive purpose, the military forces started playing a prevalently social and recreational role.

Today, the Contrada can be compared to a small state, governed by a Seggio (board of directors) headed by the Priore, and directed for the “joust” by the Capitano (who holds full powers during the days of the race).
But the Contrada is also represented by its People who traditionally “belong” to it by birth, descent or fellow-feeling.
A symbol of belonging is the Contrada Baptism, celebrated for the first time by the Contrada della Chiocciola (the contrada of the Snail) in 1949. This baptism consecrates the admission of a new Protettore (protector) within the large contrada family. The rite is celebrated by the Priore, who presents the new Protettore with a fazzoletto (the Contrada foulard), emulating the canons of a traditional Christian Baptism.
Within its boundaries each Contrada has its own civil, administrative, religious and recreational sphere of authority.
The three focal points of each Contrada are: the Società (the meeting place of the Contradaioli, or Contrada people), the Oratorio (oratory, i.e., the Contrada church) and the MUSEUM.
The Museum is worthy of special attention as it will be the main target of our visit.
It is the place where the artistic and cultural heritage, acquired over centuries of Contrada history, is conserved.
There are executive and meeting rooms and splendid halls filled with showpieces, memories and trophies.
Each Contrada exhibits Masgalani (artistic trophies won by the “más galante”, i.e. , the most gallant Contrada of the Historical Procession), old and new Monture (historical costumes), ancient flags, sacred art objects and masterpieces from all periods of art history.
The most beautiful hall is always the Monumentale Sala delle Vittorie (Monumental Hall of Victories) where the Drappelloni (painted fabric banners), won by the Contrada at the Palio race, are kept.
Annexed to the Museum, there is the Archive, where accounting, photographic and commemorative documents are deposited for safekeeping.
Throughout this “trip”, that will unveil the essence of Siena, you will be leaded by a culturally and linguistically experienced tour leader and by the archivist or Museum attendant, who will guide you to discover the true, fascinating genuineness of our spirit.
A valuable contribution will be given by a film, which will illustrate in detail all the most salient aspects of the days of the race: from the batterie (general trial races to select the best horses) to the drawing of the barberi (horses) for the purpose of assigning them to the Contrade by the whim of Fortune; from the 6 trial races which follow the assignment, aimed at preparing the horses and jockeys of each district, to the blessing of the horse in each Contrada church, which underscores the close entwinement of the sacred and the profane that Siena experiences during these very special days.
Last but not least, the Palio race: three never-ending laps filled with tension, anxiety and expectations to finally hear the three bursts of the mortaletto (firecracker) that declare the absolute winner.

THE TOUR INCLUDES:

• Shuttle service from your accommodation and back
• Private minivan with sound amplification system, air conditioning and all comforts
• Expert Italian-English bilingual tour leader
• Visit to the Contrada Museum

Services are provided by Cor Magis Travel agency of Siena.