Sunday next to March 19

PALIO DEI SOMARI

Donkey Palio

Torrita di Siena (Siena)

March 15 - 23, 2014

Held in honour of San Giuseppe, the patron saint of carpenters, for which Torrita is famous, this donkey palio was first run in 1966.

It is a race between eight different contrada, Porta a Pago, Porta a Sole, Porta a Gavina, Porta Nova, Cavone, Le Fonti, la Stazione e Refenero.

The night before the race a draw decides which donkey goes to which contrada, and the final event is always an entertaining competition, as the antics of the stubborn animals manage to put smiles on the faces of locals and visitors alike.

Parades in historic costumes and flag throwing make the atmosphere even livelier. After the winner takes the prize palio, a painted banner, the celebrating goes on late into the night for the winning contrada.