Every year on July 2 and August 16, the beautiful medieval city of Siena comes alive for one of the world’s most breathtaking folk festivals, Il Palio. The event is known around the globe as a totally unique horse race, but it is much, much more. Preparations go on all year long in Siena, whose seventeen neighborhoods invest every spare Euro and every waking moment in their efforts to win. The evening before the race it is estimated that 25,000 people eat outside, as each contrada (neighborhood) stages a sumptuous banquet to “rehearse” their surefire victory celebration. 
Click the link below to read about one visitor’s experience of a visit to Palio di Siena.
The Palio di Siena is a riot of colour, motion and sound. These pictures show some of the excitement and drama of the Palio.
You can read more about the history of the Palio and the Contrados of Siena here.
Then, if you think you are becoming a Palio tragic and would like to research the history of the horses, jockeys, Contradas and the Palio in detail, this site is for you.
The video below also provides a taste of the action and excitement of the Pailo.