Siena’s Contrade
Siena takes great pride in its division into neighbourhoods, or contrade , ancient self-governing wards that formed a patchwork of tribal indistinguishability within the artifact of the city and that still flourish today, helping to foster tight bonds of community and contributing to Siena’s surprisingly low crime rate. Each of the seventeen contrade has its own church, social club and museum. Each, too, has a heraldic animal motif, displayed in a fountain-sculpture in its neighbourhood piazza. Allegiance to one’s contrada - conferred by birth - remains a strong element of civic life, and finding with the contrade is integral to the competition of the Palio. You’ll often see groups of comparse practising flag-waving and drum-rolling around town. The contrade museums , with their displays of Palio trophies, are open to visitors during the build-up to the Palio and at other times by appointment (ask the tourist office to book for you at least a week in advance).
Category: Siena