Palio di Siena - Italy's most famous Horse Race

It's July again at the month starts with one of Italys most famous and most traditional events: Palio di Siena, which in fact is a 90-second horse race and held twice a year. If you could not make it on 2nd July you'll have another chance to see on 16th August.  90 seconds for a horse race may sound short but for Sienese, it is so much more than that: it is an embodiment of civic pride that has been held since 1644.

Ten horses and riders representing ten of the city wards compete in the 90-second race around the Piazzo del Campo. But the Palio is not just horserace or a tourist invention, it is a way of life that dominates throughout the year.

There are seventeen contrade, or wards and each contrada is a city within a city that provides a social structure, a support network and civic identity and that makes the Palio more than a horserace: it is about Sienese pride – the rivalry between the contrade.

As it's limited to 10, not all contrada have a horse running but all of them celebrate with a series of dinners, doing parades thought the city in traditional uniforms. Palio is life, emotions and four endless days of spectacle and so much to see: There's even a horse blessing before the race at the local church.

If not in Tuscany, do come visit us in Singapore’s Cluny Court and Marina Square where our new summer collection has just arrived!

With sunny greetings from Italy and „alla prossima volta“!

Yours, 

Alfie Browns