Private Tour: Piazza del Campo and Siena’s Contrade (districts)
Piazza del Campo is the most important and beautiful square we have in Siena, where twice a year the Palio takes place, on July 2nd and August 16th. On this private experience your guide will let you discover everything about our traditions and culture, which are today still strong rooted in our daily life from the Middle Ages. The city of Siena is divided into 17 districts, which we call Contrade. Every Sienese is a member of one of the Contrade and to become a real member they do a very special baptism. Taking part on this 90 minutes tour, you will get the chance to discover the history and the tradition of the Piazza del Campo: what is the meaning of the word “Campo”? What type of events organize here the Sienese starting from the early Middle Ages and dedicated to whom? Why is it considered the heart of the city?
For the July Palio the Church of Santa Maria in Provenzano and for the August Palio the Cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of Mary are the protagonists, where the members of the winner Contrada will go inside to celebrate this very special moment.
The guide will bring you to visit the Church of Santa Maria in Provenzano, a church that remains unknown to most of the tourists, who come to visit Siena. You will find out why this church is considered so special to the Sienese.
Every of the 17 districts “Contrade” have a wonderful and unique museum, where they keep their prices won during the centuries: beautiful banners made of silk, called Palio, depicted by important local and international artists. A visit to a Contrada museum is a real opportunity to understand the city of Siena.
