ABSTRACT
In many people’s minds Siena is associated with the Palio. This is a peculiarly ferocious and unforgiving horse race in which each area, or contrada, prepares its horse for the brief turns around the piazza in the centre of the town. In this competition no holds are barred and even the most dubious tactics are allowed. It is not uncommon for horses to die in the race. Each horse is meticulously prepared by its own contrada and a whole town is alive with the preparations for the race for several days before the event. Battles fought long ago are evoked and many of the previous races are rerun in the minds of the older spectators.
