Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GOOGLE MAP
(Via di Città, near Piazza
del Duomo)
.
For more information about events, go to
www.terresiena.it
.
THE PALIO
Dating from the Middle Ages, this spectacular annual event includes 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.
The race is staged in the Campo. From about 5pm, representatives from each
contrada
parade in
historical costume, all bearing their individual banners. For scarcely one exhilarating minute, the 10
horses and their bareback riders tear three times around a temporarily constructed dirt racetrack with a
speed and violence that makes spectators' hair stand on end.
The race is held at 7.45pm in July and 7pm in August. 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 for toilet or drink breaks until the race has finished. Alternatively, the cafes in the
Campo sell places on their terraces; these cost between €350 and €400 per ticket, 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
MAP
HOTEL
€
GOOGLE MAP
( 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 are anything but. Most of these
have new bathrooms and beds, air-con and views over the narrow green Fontebranda val-
ley 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
MAP
B&B
€
GOOGLE MAP
