Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
IL PALIO
Dating from the Middle Ages, this spectacular annual event stages a series of colourful pageants and a
wild horse race on 2 July and 16 August. Ten of Siena's 17 contrade (town districts) compete for the
coveted palio (silk banner). Each contrada has its own traditions, symbol and colours plus its own
church and palio museum.
From about 5pm, representatives from each contrada parade around the Campo in historical cos-
tume, all bearing their individual banners.
The race is held at 7.45pm in July and 7pm in August. For scarcely one exhilarating minute, the 10
horses and their bareback riders tear three times around a temporary dirt racetrack with a speed and vi-
olence that makes spectators' hair stand on end.
Join the crowds in the centre of the Campo at least four hours before the start if you want a place on
the rails, but be aware that once there you won't be able to leave until the race has finished. Alternat-
ively, the cafes in the Campo sell places on their terraces; these cost between €350 and €400 per tick-
et, and can be booked through the tourist office up to one year in advance.
Note that during the Palio, hotels raise their rates between 10% and 50% and enforce a minimum-
stay requirement.
Sleeping
Hotel Alma Domus
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP
HOTEL
( 0577 4 41 77; www.hotelalmadomus.it ; Via Camporegio 37; s €40-48, d without view €60-75, d with
view €65-85, q €95-125; ) Owned by the Catholic diocese and still home to six
Dominican nuns, this convent now operates as a budget hotel. And though its prices are
low, the standard of its recently renovated 4th-floor rooms is anything but. Most have new
bathrooms and beds, air-con and views over the narrow green Fontebranda valley across
to the duomo .
Families are welcome, and will be charmed by the particularly lovely room 12, which
sleeps four and has a balcony. Note that there's a 1am curfew.
Antica Residenza Cicogna
OFFLINE MAP GOOGLE MAP
B&B
( 0577 28 56 13; www.anticaresidenzacicogna.it ; Via dei Terme 67; s €65-90, d €85-110, ste €120-150;
) Charming host Elisa supervised the restoration of this 13th-century building and
will happily recount its history (it's been owned by her family for generations). The seven
rooms are clean and well maintained, with comfortable beds, painted ceilings and tiled
Search WWH ::




Custom Search