Palio di Sienna

• Photographer
  Jeroen Berends

2 times a year the different contrada's (neighborhoods) of Sienna, Italy race horses against each other. This tradition dates from the year 1287 and still divides the city. It comes with enormous rivalry, passion and pride. Each neighborhoods carries their colors and symbol with pride during the weeks before the race. Whole neighborhoods come together and everybody is included, young and old. All that matters is that you were born in the same neighborhood. When you're wife is from another neighborhood than you just don't talk to her for a week. All of this to win the banner that's called the 'palio'.