THE PALIO HORSE RACE

The ancient Middle-age administrative divisions, called contrade , are still the backbone of this city.
This itinerary leads us through the old districts where the trade guilds carried out their own activities. No wonder why the headquarters of the condrade are to be found in the most secluded lanes of Siena. Every contrada has got a church, a museum and a stable where the horse is kept during the four days before the race. To visit them is useful to understand the incredible fascination of the Palio better. In the contrada vaulted and old structures the Sienese organise and weave the plots of the most important event in the year .