Palio di Siena 2025

Palio di Siena 2025 will be held, as usual, twice in 2025, in the magnificent Piazza del Campo, in Siena.

The first event, Palio di Provenzano 2025, will take place on July 2, and the second, Palio dell’Assunta 2025, will be held on August 16.

Palio di Provenzano is dedicated to the Madonna of Provenzano, and Palio dell’Assunta is held in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.

Palio di Siena is one of Italy’s most iconic and historical events, capturing the essence of the Sienese culture and tradition.

The event is practically a horse race between the 17 contrade (districts or wards) of the city, held in the shell-shaped square Piazza del Campo.

The race is a vibrant spectacle of color, competition, and community spirit, with deep roots in the city’s history and religious devotion.

WHAT ARE THE DATES FOR PALIO DI SIENA 2025?

Palio di Siena 2025 will be held twice in 2025, as usual. Palio di Provenzano will take place on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, and Palio dell’Assunta will be held on Saturday, August 16, 2025.

WHAT IS THE LOCATION OF PALIO DI SIENA 2025?

Palio di Siena 2025 will be held in the historical Piazza del Campo.

Piazza del Campo, the main square of Siena, stands as one of most beautiful in Italy and the world, a perfect example of cultural and architectural integrity, invaluable for humanity.

SHORT HISTORY OF PALIO DI SIENA

Palio di Siena 2025 – Palio di Provenzano 2025

Horse races in Siena are held since the 13th century, when the Palio was the closing event of the annual festival dedicated to the patron saint of the city, Mary of the Assumption.

Initially, there were many contrade, but after the plague of 1347, their number was reduced to 42.

In 1605, the captain Sigismondo Santi and the knight Fortunio Martini made a proposal to the Municipality of Siena, to held the competition in Piazza del Campo.

As a result, at the beginning of the 17th century, the race was relocated to the famous square.

Palio dell’Assunta was introduced at the beginning of the 18th century, after an idea of Contrada dell’Oca (Goose), winner of the Palio of July 1701.

Contrada dell’Oca asked the Municipality to organize another race on August 16, for the holiday of the Assumption.

In 1729, Violante of Bavaria, the city’s governor, promulgated the New division of the boundaries of the Contrade, reducing the number of the contrade to 17.

THE CONTRADE OF SIENA

A contrada is named after a street, a church or an illustrious family residing on its territory.

The 17 contrade of Siena still competing today are Aquila (Eagle), Bruco (Caterpillar), Chiocciola (Snail), Civetta (Little Owl), Drago (Dragon), Giraffa (Giraffe), Istrice (Crested Porcupine), Leocorno (Unicorn), Lupa (She-Wolf), Nicchio (Seashell), Oca (Goose), Onda (Wave), Pantera (Panther), Selva (Forest), Tartuca (Tortoise), Torre (Tower) and Valdimontone (Valley of the Ram).

Only 10 teams out of a total of 17 will participate in each race.

The number of the participating contrade is composed from seven that didn’t compete at the previous edition of Palio di Siena, and three drawn from last year’s participants.

The 10 contrade participate in the Palio with a horse assigned by drawing from the horses physically fit for the race.

PALIO DI SIENA TODAY

Palio di Siena 2025 – Palio dell’Assunta 2025

Palio di Siena is not just a one-day event. It is the culmination of months of preparation, anticipation, and community involvement.

The preparations begin well in advance, with each contrada selecting its horse and jockey (fantino), who will represent them in the race.

The selection of the horse is a critical part of the preparation, as the quality of the horse can greatly influence the outcome of the race.

Tratta is a ceremony in which horses are assigned to the contrade through a lottery system.

The eligibility tests and the assignment of the horses take place 3 days before each Palio, on June 30, respectively on August 13.

Once the horses are assigned, the contrade begin training their horses and jockeys, refining their strategies, and rallying the community in support of their efforts.

Before each Palio, there are 6 test races, during which the jockey gets familiar with their horses.

Each race is preceded by the Historical Procession (Corteo Storico), a parade of about 700 people representing the 17 contrade and the institutions of the ancient Republic of Siena.

The procession starts in the afternoon in Piazza del Duomo, in front of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.

After parading on the streets of the historical center of Siena, the procession arrives in the beautiful square of Piazza del Campo.

The actual race, though it lasts only about 90 seconds, is filled with drama and excitement. The horses must complete three laps around the square.

There are no rules during the race, and jockeys often resort to whipping or blocking their rivals to gain an advantage.

The chaotic nature of the race, combined with the passion of the crowd, creates an electrifying atmosphere that is unlike any other sporting event in the world.

The winning contrada receives a hand-painted silk banner (Drappellone) that serves as both a trophy and a symbol of their triumph.

The design of the banner changes each year, often incorporating elements related to the Virgin Mary and the city of Siena.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS FOR PALIO DI SIENA 2025

Palio di Provenzano 2025 will begin, as usual, early on the morning of July 2, and will conclude in the evening.

• 7.30 am – Mass of the jockeys (La Messa del Fantino) in the Chapel of Piazza del Campo;
• 9.00 am – Provaccia, the last test race;
• 2.30 pm – Benediction of the horses participating in the race;
• 4.00 pm – The closing of Piazza del Campo begins;
• 5.00 pm – The beginning of the Historical Procession;
• 7.30 pm – The race begins.

 
Palio dell’Assunta 2025 will take place on August 16, according to the following program:

• 7.30 am – Mass of the jockeys in the Chapel of Piazza del Campo;
• 9.00 am – Provaccia, the last test race;
• 2.00 pm – Benediction of the horses participating in the race;
• 4.00 pm – The closing of Piazza del Campo;
• 5.00 pm – The beginning of the Historical Procession;
• 7.00 pm – The race begins.