Grazie e tornate per il prossimo Palio (16 agosto).

]]> http://www.italylogue.com/planning-a-trip/sienas-july-2-palio-photo-finish-goes-to-oca.html/comment-page-1#comment-8132 Joan Schmelzle Wed, 11 Jul 2007 17:37:23 +0000 http://www.italylogue.com/planning-a-trip/sienas-july-2-palio-photo-finish-goes-to-oca.html#comment-8132 Wow! The video was exciting and some of the pictures showing the two groups who thought they won certainly show the emotion involved. I have never seen the race, just a practice run. But I did have a great spot to watch all the pagentry that goes on before the race. I had read enough to know that the flag throwers performed in front of the archbishop's palace. So I early staked out a place on the top steps of the Duomo. Was there in time to see that contrada's horse taken into the chapel across the street for his blessing. At the time that building was still a hospital, now it is a wonderful museum to wander in, Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala, which I visited last summer. I do believe the Oca won the year I was there at race time. I recall seeing the statue of St. Catherine with the contrada flag tied around her neck. The church at her home is the church for that contrada.

Wow! The video was exciting and some of the pictures showing the two groups who thought they won certainly show the emotion involved. I have never seen the race, just a practice run. But I did have a great spot to watch all the pagentry that goes on before the race. I had read enough to know that the flag throwers performed in front of the archbishop’s palace. So I early staked out a place on the top steps of the Duomo. Was there in time to see that contrada’s horse taken into the chapel across the street for his blessing. At the time that building was still a hospital, now it is a wonderful museum to wander in, Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala, which I visited last summer.
I do believe the Oca won the year I was there at race time. I recall seeing the statue of St. Catherine with the contrada flag tied around her neck. The church at her home is the church for that contrada.

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