Il Palio: l'assegnazione dei cavalli

The 10 contradas running the "horse race" in Piazza del Campo known as "Il Palio," receive their horses in a lottery. It is HIGH drama! At this point, all members of the contradas know which are the best horses! The excitement builds as members of the contradas gather, sing and chant. This is more than a race. It is the social glue that holds this small city together and fosters such civic pride. Witness that participants range from small children to older folks. The tears you see here are almost exclusively tears of joy at the annoucement of a great horse.