Contrade of Siena

Now, what makes it cool, it's not an official race, obviously, the jockeys race bareback, but the history to it is mad.

If you are born in Siena, you are born in a contrada, which is essentially a district, I think there's around 14 Contradas, don't quote me on that, but there are a number of Contradas.

Each Contrada has its own colours, its own emblem, which is like a, I think one's a giraffe.

There are various animals that are their emblem.

They have captains, they have families that are dare I say, looks slightly mafioso.

As you're there, it's like you're in a film setting.

And the Contradas bless the horses before they run.

The jockeys are assigned randomly and there's a huge pot of money.

And so I will tell you also what about is the Palio and all and how important it is here.

We hear about the Contrade as it relates to sort of the teams that have a horse in the horse race, which is the Palio of Siena, which happens two times a year.

It happens in August.

but also in June is

Before we leave Siena, I want to thank Stella for joining me and for giving us the opportunity to view this extraordinary city through the eyes of someone who grew up here.

Siena is one of the places that is even more fascinating once you understand the stories behind what you're seeing.

The Piazza del Campo, the Contrade, the Palio, the Cathedral, the art, and the medieval streets that are all connected to a city whose identity has been developing for centuries.

And that's exactly what the Italian Masterpiece Series is about, going beyond simply seeing beautiful places and understanding why they matter.