Are you ready?

One of the most awaited events, the Palio di Siena (Siena Horce Race), every year taking place on 2nd July and 16th August, is coming back with its second appointment.

Once again, on 16th August, the shell-shaped square Piazza del Campo, famous all over the world for its particular aspect, will host the crowd of fans and a great show.

The districts (“Contrade”) running in the next race are:

• Civetta (Owl)
• Drago (Dragon)
• Onda (Wave)
• Selva (Wood)

Since September 2009, Siena has been celebrating one of the most important recurrences in the city history: the 700th anniversary of its “Costituto”, the first constitutional document written in vulgar language and not in Latin, in other words, the first symbol of democracy for the city of Siena. Finally, also common people could understand it.

It is for this reason that the city of Siena celebrates this recurrence with an event including several fields that aim to involve all the city with many initiatives: children, adults and elderly people.

Such an event will go on until May 31st 2010…so if you are in the neighborhood of Siena or you have never visited the city, this could be a perfect chance!

In fact, the programme of the “La Città del Sì” – a periphrasis of a famous sentence by Dante Alighieri – includes many reviews, exhibitions, shows and conventions.

Every weekend – from Friday to Sunday – visitors will find many appointments and events for tourists and Siena citizens, who will proudly show to be the heirs of the prosperous Republic of the Middle Ages. Good old times!

Until May 31st 2010, visitors will find also an interesting exhibition at Santa Maria della Scala Museum entitled Libri e fotografie del fondo Giuliano Briganti e dell’Istituto d’arte, a beautiful itinerary into Siena’s art between 13th and 14th centuries (opening hours from Monday to Thursday, from 9 am to 5 pm).

In addition, on next Saturday May 1st 2010, from 10 am to 1 pm,

The renowned Palio dell’Assunta will come back in Siena on August 16^th, and as usual, it will take place in the picturesque and stunning Piazza del Campo.

It’s a very ancient competition between the city wards, which dates back to Middle Ages and from time immemorial draws the attention of tourists from all over the world.

The feast lasts 4 days, during which visitors will have the chance to watch the meticulous preparation of the race. The morning of August 13^th for example, is a symbolic date during which the so-called “Tratta” takes place, that is the assigning of the horses to each contrada.