The race is canceled this year, first time since World War II. Not a real surprise, I guess, but sad just the same. Here's the link from Reuters news.
Posted by
11153 posts
Not surprising as Siena is mobbed for several days during the Palio. We were in Siena for the early one. It was festive with the neighborhoods competing, parades in medieval dress. We all still have our scarves representing the different neighborhoods.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7277 posts
That just makes me so sad for the Siena community! They take this competition SO seriously, plus all of the fun activities before & after.
Posted by
Chicago
1325 posts
And it’s interesting that it plays in a plot twist in The Winds of War by Herman Wouk, an amazing book of historical fiction. The 1980s miniseries is also excellent.
It’s a novel featuring the run up to the involvement of the USA into World War II featuring mostly American characters that get involved. Well worth a read, it’s a lengthy one of over 1000 pages. The Palio is covered in detail.
Posted by
Mpls, MN
1003 posts
Sorry to hear the Palio is cancelled. One year we visited Siena on the day after the July Palio and was so fun and very festive. Yes, the Winds of War is a great book along with War and Rembrance.
Posted by
OP
Tampa, FL
545 posts
Thanks for the book recommendation, Dale. I visited Siena a few days after the first race in 2014 and it was still a fun and festive atmosphere. We were sitting in a little gelateria and all of a sudden there was a parade with folks singing and sporting their contrade bandanas. One of those fun unexpected moments in travel.
Posted by
Idaho, USA
7277 posts
Kathy H, we were in Siena a month after the Palio, and the winning neighborhood was still celebrating with a parade with drums and their neighborhood outfits!