Tag Archives: contrade

The Palio! Piazza del Campo

Posted on August 17, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

It was about 4:00 by the time we reached the Piazza del Campo and Serena showed me the little alley I needed to take to get to my seat so I made a quick dash to find a toilet and … Continue reading →

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The procession of wax

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

Sunday evening, before going to watch the third Palio test, a group from the school met with our guide, Serena, to watch the Cortea dei Cera (the procession of wax) at the Duomo.  I love the Duomo!  The stripes are … Continue reading →

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Dopo la prima prova

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

“After the first test” the contrada members rush from wherever they have been standing / sitting to their horse.   They line up behind him and there is a slow progression out of the Piazza del Campo.  The horse led … Continue reading →

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The Palio! Assigning the horses

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

Saturday afternoon at 1:00 sharp, the captains of the contrade oversaw the assignation of the horses. The crowd was thick!  This is when the contrade luck can be won or lost depending on what horse is drawn! All of the … Continue reading →

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The Palio! Choosing the horses

Posted on August 15, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

Saturday morning a group of us from school met with our guide, Serena, at 8:30 to head to the Piazza del Campo for the first major event of the Palio, determining which horses will compete in the race. Ultimately only … Continue reading →

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Looney lunch with Linda

Posted on August 3, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

After my best day yet in class I was game to go to lunch with Linda yesterday.  She brought me to this little place not far from where I am living that she has frequented several times. Linda, being the … Continue reading →

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The party days are over

Posted on July 28, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

The Oca headquarters seems to have shut down for the season!  As they won the July Palio they are not participating in the August Palio and it seems that the celebration days have officially ended!  I mentioned in an earlier … Continue reading →

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The Palio – YouTube video

Posted on July 18, 2011 by Sophia la Vespa

You can see by the crowds in the attached video that Il Palio is a major event, with limited capacity.  I don’t even want to hint at the price of a balcony position I will likely buy. From what I understand, … Continue reading →

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