Contrade of Siena
[1] Each sienese contrada is named after an animal or symbol, with a long history and complicated heraldic and semi-mythological associations.
The contrade districts were set up in the Middle Ages in order to supply troops to the many military companies that were hired to defend Siena as it fought to preserve its independence from Florence and other nearby city states.
With the passage of time, however, the contrade have lost their administrative and military functions and have become areas of localised patriotism.
Their roles have broadened so that in the 21st century, every important event – baptisms, deaths, marriages, church holidays, victories at the Palio, even wine or food festivals – is celebrated only within one's own contrada.
Siena's organization was definitively revised in 1730 by governor Princess Violante Von Bayern, as 17 intra-muros wards.
Aquila is situated immediately to the south-west of the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city, and is home to the duomo (cathedral).
Aquila's symbol is a double-headed black eagle holding an orb, a sword, and a sceptre.
Aquila is one of only four nobile (noble) contrade; its title was bestowed by the Habsburg emperor Charles V, out of gratitude for the warm reception he received there in 1536.
Its motto is "Come rivoluzion sona il mio nome" (As revolution sounds my name).
Chiocciola is situated in the south-western corner of the city; traditionally, its residents worked as terracotta makers.
Chiocciola's motto is “With slow and deliberate steps, snail takes the field to triumph.” The district’s patron saints are the apostles Peter and Paul with a feast day of June 29.
On September 19, 2014, members of the Civetta contrada held a street celebration in honor of their victory.
Giraffa's symbol is a giraffe led by a Moor, and a ribbon bearing the motto "Humbertus I dedit" (Umberto I gave it").
This title was bestowed on it by King Vittorio Emanuele III when it won the palio in 1936, the year the race was dedicated to Italy's empire in East Africa.
Istrice occupies the north-westernmost edge of Siena and contains the San Vincenzo e Anastasio church, home of the city's oldest surviving fresco and burial place of Pinturicchio.
Leocorno's symbol is a unicorn, rampant, with the motto "Humberti regio gratia" ("A kingdom by the grace of Umberto").
The she-wolf of this contrada refers to the legend that Siena was founded by Senius and Aschius, the sons of Remus, who were raised by a wolf.
The Lupa museum's prize exhibit is a photograph of Giuseppe Garibaldi, which he donated to the contrada on its victory in the Palio di Siena of 1867.
Nicchio is one of only four nobile (noble) contrade; it earned its title for bravery shown during the Battle of Montaperti against Florence in 1260, when its soldiers led the attack.
Oca's symbol is a crowned goose wearing around its neck a blue ribbon marked with the cross of Savoy.
Oca is one of only four nobile (noble) contrade; it earned its title for its people's bravery during many battles fought by the former Sienese Republic.
The most recent palio win for Oca was in the August 16, 2023 race, with jockey Carlo Sanna riding Zio Frac.
Traditionally, its residents were weavers, but when the contrade were mainly military, they had a reputation for being excellent archers.
Selva's symbol is a rhinoceros at the base of an oak tree hung with hunting tools.
Torre is situated just to the south-east of the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the city, and encompasses Siena's Jewish quarter and synagogue.
Torre's symbol is an elephant (the contrada's original name was Liofante or Lionfante) with a tower on its back.
Valdimontone's symbol is a crowned rampant ram, with a blue shield emblazoned with the letter "u" for Umberto.
These districts were Gallo (Rooster), Leone (Lion), Orso (Bear), Quercia (Oak), Spadaforte (Strong Sword), and Vipera (Viper).
The abolition came about because of poor organization among the contrade and their lack of participation in the larger public life of the city.
The six were incorporated into other contrade as follows; Today the six abolished contrade are remembered in the historical procession preceding the Palio di Siena: six riders with their helmets lowered, accompanied by a groom, parade in the ninth group of the Corteo Storico Historical Parade.
