Siena is divided into seventeen contrade: Aquila (eagle), Bruco (caterpillar), Chiocciola (snail), Civetta (owl), Drago (dragon), Giraffa (giraffe), Istrice (porcupine), Leocorno (unicorn), Lupa (she-wolf), Nicchio (seashell), Oca (goose), Onda (wave), Pantera (panther), Selva (forest), Tartuca (tortoise), Torre (tower) e Valdimontone (valley of the ram).

Each contrada has its emblem, its colours, its churches, its palaces, and, above all, its rites, which are celebrated on the occasion of the Palio.
Or rather, of the Palios.
In fact, the most famous horse race in the world is held twice a year: on July 2nd (the so-called Palio di Provenzano) and on August 16th (the so-called Palio dell`Assunta).

On these two occasions ten of the seventeen contrade challenge each other in a career (the race) in Piazza del Campo for the conquest of the so-called drappellone (the Palio), a banner with the coats of arms of the municipality, of the contrade and of the districts that compose Siena, along with some sacred figures.

The Palio does not last only the time needed to run three of Piazza del Campo.
Several dinners and events take place in the various contrade in the four days before the race. And after it, the contradaioli of the winning contrada receive the Palio and go to the Church of Santa Maria di Provenzano (in July) or to the Duomo (in August) to sing the Te Deum.
Then, the contrada celebrates its victory between September and early October with a dinner, whose guest of honour is the winning horse.

Renting a villa or a farmhouse in Siena and spending some days in Tuscany in the period of the Palio could turn out to be a once in a lifetime experience.