Thousands of spectators gathered in the Tuscan city of Siena to watch the "Palio di Siena", one of the most ancient bareback horse races in the world, in which different areas, all in their own distinctive livery, compete against each other.
The race is the culmination of several days of joyful, yet fierce competition between Siena's 17 neighbourhoods, as only ten can take part can take part in the final race.
Download the eBook version of Lonely Planet's Siena & Central Tuscany PDF chapter from the Florence & Tuscany guidebook
Florence & Tuscany - Siena & Central Tuscany (Chapter)
When people imagine classic Tuscan countryside, they usually conjure up images of central Tuscany: rolling hills, sunkissed vineyards and artistically planted avenues of cypress trees. Come here for art, architecture and gastronomy. But most of all, come here for enchantment.
Coverage includes: Siena, Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Val d’Elsa, San Gimignano, Volterra, Val d’Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Monticchiello, Val di Chiana and Montepulciano.
The race is the culmination of several days of joyful, yet fierce competition between Siena's 17 neighbourhoods, as only ten can take part can take part in the final race.
Florence & Tuscany - Siena & Central Tuscany (Chapter)
When people imagine classic Tuscan countryside, they usually conjure up images of central Tuscany: rolling hills, sunkissed vineyards and artistically planted avenues of cypress trees. Come here for art, architecture and gastronomy. But most of all, come here for enchantment.
Coverage includes: Siena, Chianti, Greve in Chianti, Castellina in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Val d’Elsa, San Gimignano, Volterra, Val d’Orcia, Montalcino, Pienza, Monticchiello, Val di Chiana and Montepulciano.
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