I am in Torrita di Siena for the Palio dei Somari. Torrita di Siena is a well preserved hilltop town not far from the Autostrada and on the way to Siena.
Not to be outdone by their slightly more famous neighbour, in 1966 the townspeople of Torrita di Siena began the Palio dei Somari…the donkey Palio.
I arrived the day before the race to get the lay of the land and to find good positions to see the parade that will go through the town tomorrow. I had time to wander through the narrow streets bedecked with the flags of the various contrade…the areas of town competing in the race.
There are some gorgeous views of the Tuscan hills from the edges of town.
I was really lucky with my choice of place to stay. It is a lovely little apartment, called Casa dei Fiori right on the path for the parade and less than 50 metres from the piazza where the celebrations will begin with flag throwing and drummers. The owners are delightful and they are going to show me some of the other apartments tomorrow, so you can all come next year for the Palio.
I got to watch some of the participants practising this afternoon.
This is where the race will be run tomorrow afternoon…I have my ticket.
Here is a photo of a photo from a vantage point that I won’t have. This is the piazza where the festivities will begin.
…and some old photos of the race and the donkeys.
There will be an exhibition later tonight and I will be there…I love a bit of flag throwing and drums.
The streets are getting dark.
I will be jostling for a position in front of the bar. The next post will be the celebrations…and the race.
