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| This is the square in Siena. While waiting for the trials, we played bocce ball |
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| The Palio Trials go back to 1590. The piazza is very small. The horses have to go around three times...several fall off...I'll describe its history from wikipedia |
Jackie, AKA Ricardo Steves, researched Tuscany for the week we were there and had the Palio Trials on the agenda. We were all so excited to see the horse trial. The trial was a preparation for the city's big race every July 2. Ten neighborhoods in Siena have riders competing for the bragging rights of winning the Palio. We drove an hour to Siena, had lunch, toured the Siena Cathedral and watched the trial. It was the best time. We all enjoyed it. Here's a description of what the Palio is...
From wikipedia: The Palio di Siena (known locally simply as Il Palio) is a horse race that is held twice each year, on July 2 and August 16, in Siena, Italy. Ten horses and riders, bareback and dressed in the appropriate colours, represent ten of the seventeen contrade, or city wards. The Palio held on July 2 is named Palio di Provenzano, in honour of the Madonna of Provenzano, who has a church in Siena. The Palio held on August 16 is named Palio dell'Assunta, in honour of theAssumption of Mary.
A pageant, the Corteo Storico, precedes the race, which attracts visitors and spectators from around the world.
The race itself, in which the jockeys ride bareback, circles the Piazza del Campo, on which a thick layer of dirt has been laid, three times and usually lasts no more than 90 seconds. It is common for a few of the jockeys to be thrown off their horses while making the treacherous turns in the piazza, and indeed, it is usual to see unmounted horses finishing the race without their jockeys.
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| A great shot |
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| After the trial |
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| I'm excited that I got this shot in front of the cathedral in Siena...I love this photo and I love Whit in it....That was his attitude until he got to the beach in Cinque de Terre |
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| The crowd at the trials.. |
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| The only group shot of all of us....me, Stella, Jackie, Chloe Kara, August, Whit, Martin, Harmon, Jeanie, Polly and Bob |
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| That marble was amazing at the Siena Cathedral |
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| After the trial |
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| Chloe :) |
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| I can't believe I got this shot! |
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