Palio di Siena in the Piazza del Campo

This the world-famous horse race, the Palio di Siena. A clamshell shaped square is where the city comes alive with traditional merry making.
Siena is divided into 17 neighborhoods, or contrades, of which 10 are selected by a drawing to vie for the coveted Palio banner and all-important bragging rights.
The actual race consists of going around Piazza del Campo three times, appropriately arranged and equipped for this purpose, riding the horse bareback (without a saddle). The race is just 90 seconds long!