Palio di Siena - Historic Horse Racing in Italy

One of the riders in the Palio di Siena.

Twice a year, July 2 and August 16, a spectacular horse race takes please in the beautiful city of Siena, Italy. Spectators from around the world come to see the horses and jockeys dressed in the colors of ten of the seventeen Contrade, or city wards, for the famed Palio di Siena. Before the races, a parade marches through the Piazza del Campo. This costume parade of sorts is the beginning of the celebration and is a true cultural spectacle, offering a great taste of Italian tradition.

And it's one that our guests in Italy have the incredible opportunity to see. As fate would have it, our bike tour in Tuscany will be underway during this historic event, and our guests will have the exciting opportunity to take part. If you're interested in seeing either of the races, we will help to make sure you get to the chance. If you're planning on going to Tuscany, the tours surrounding the dates of this event should be high on your priority list.

We'll watch in awe as the jockeys ride bareback and fly around the sharp turns of the Piazza. Because of the tremendous difficulty, it is not uncommon to see horses finish the race without their jockey, who has been tossed off the back of his steed. The danger involved in the race is part of the excitement, though, similar to bull fighting. The fast paced entertainment contrasts well with the spectacle of the pageant that takes place beforehand. The combination of the two events appeals to both cultural and competitive sentiments of the viewers.

This unique event attracts viewers from around the world, as few other spectacles have the same mix of tradition, excitement, and danger. So come join us on a cycling tour in Tuscany, and catch a glimpse of this remarkable celebration.