Contrade and Palio

Siena is split up into seventeen sections, like neighborhoods. They are called contrade. Generally, you can only join a contrada if you are born into it. Every July 2nd and August 16th is the Palio, which is a horse race and a pageant. It started in the 11th century. The Palio is in honor of the Virgin Mary. Ten contradas compete on each of the days. The Palio combines both chance or luck and preparation because the horses and the order that they race in line are drawn out of a hat at random. The contrada can choose its Fontina or jockey and he can train the horse. We saw the Palio when we were here five years ago and again three years ago. The night before the Palio the members of the contrada have a feast in the streets, the streets are decorated with festive lights and banners. We were guests of the Onda or wave contrada feast. The morning of the Palio the horse of the contrada is blessed in the contrada’s church. During the afternoon there is a parade that shows each contrada in medieval costumes. The winner of the race is the first horse, with or without a rider, to circle three times around the Piazza del Campo. The Palio itself is a banner that the winning contrada gets. The members of the winning contrada go to the Duomo and give thanks to Mary. The contradas help Siena to not be city of very much crime because every one takes care of the people in their contrada.
The contradas are:
Pantera or panther
Chiocciola or snail
Istrice or porcupine
Civetta or owl
Leocorno or unicorn
Drago or dragon
Selva or forest
Tartuca or tortoise
Bruco or caterpillar
Onda or wave
Oca or goose
Torre or tower
Lupa or wolf
Nicchio or seashell
Valdimontone or literally means valley of the ram
Aquila or eagle
Giraffa or giraffe