Siena’s Palio horse race a crazy-brave event
This annual event has been described as the craziest horse race in the world.
It’s been dubbed the craziest horse race in the world.
Siena’s annual Palio sees 10 bareback riders gallop their mounts three times around the famed Piazza del Campo. Whichever horse crosses the finish line first, with or without its rider, wins.
Siena’s equine-racing tradition dates back to the 6th century but the modern-day Palio pits representatives of each contrada, or designated zone in the city, against one another. The race takes place twice: on July 2 and August 16, marking two important dates on the religious calendar.
Horses and jockeys are blessed by priests and a 600-strong parade winds through the city, with the day culminating in the race.
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