The Palio and its “assassins”
The programme includes:
- Two nights in a double room with breakfast
- Welcome drink (Friday)
- Day-long guided tour (Saturday)
- Admission to the Contrada Museums and the Sala dei Costumi (Saturday)
- Lunch at the stable of Giovanni Atzeni known as “Tittia” (Saturday)
- Dinner at a restaurant (Saturday)
EUR 600.00* per person, double occupancy
*Price based on accommodation at the Hotel Palazzetto Rosso or Hotel Athena. Additional EUR 100.00 for the Grand Hotel Continental or Hotel Certosa di Maggiano. (Prices valid for min. 2 participants. Extras: Private transfers available upon request.)
For info and reservations:
esperienzeuniche@conventionbureau.siena.it
PROGRAM
Friday
Check-in at the pre-booked hotel upon arrival in Siena. Late afternoon meeting with the tour representative for a short welcome briefing followed by an aperitif in a spectacular location in the heart of Siena. Dinner (not included) and overnight stay at the hotel.
Saturday
Breakfast at the hotel. Meet up with the guide and proceed on foot to one of the Contrada museums (name to be provided upon confirmation).
In addition to the painted banners from the won Palios, each Contrada displays “masgalani”, old and new mountings, ancient flags, sacred furnishings, works of art, and unique souvenirs dating from every era. The most beautiful room in every Contrada is the monumental Sala della Vittorie, which often serves as the meeting room for the Consiglio Generale.
The journey continues with a visit to the Sala dei Costumi di Palazzo Comunale. A tour that features the redesign of the costumes in the years 1904, 1928, 1955, 1981, and 2000, giving visitors the chance to admire the quality of the fabrics and discover anecdotes and curiosities. Inside are the over 300 Comune costumes worn by the 14 groups of figurants who make their entrance into Piazza del Campo at the first toll of the Torre del Mangia bell on the day of the Palio.
At the end of the tour, we will move southwards to meet one of the greatest contemporary players of the Palio: Giovanni Atzeni known as “Tittia”, winner of 6 races. We will visit Tittia’s stables to see how he trains his splendid horses and, without fail, hear anecdotes and other tidbits from his career as a jockey. Lunch, featuring local specialities, will be served on site.
Afterwards, return to Siena with time to freshen up at the hotel before meeting for dinner at a restaurant. Overnight stay at the hotel.
Sunday
Breakfast at the hotel followed by farewells and either free time to continue exploring the city or departure for home.