Corteo Storico
Encyclopedia
The Corteo Storico or historical parade is referred to as "passeggiata storica" in Siena
, Tuscany
, Italy
. It is a costume parade which takes place before the famous horse race known as the Palio
on the 2nd of July and on August 16, each year.
. It is a formal choreographed civil and historic triumphal march that commemorates the ancient institutions, customs and greatness of the Republic of Siena
. Special attention is given to the Contrade
whose participants form the main part of the parade. The parade takes place in the Piazza del Campo
with 14 groups and a total of almost seven hundred participants.
In the early afternoon, on the day of the Palio
, members of the town gather in the courtyard of the Palace of Justice and under the command of the field marshal, line-up in Piazza del Duomo next to the Cathedral. They parade between the crowd on both sides of the streets called: Via del Capitano, Piazza Postierla, Via San Pietro, Via del Casato di Sopra and Via del Casato di Sotto where they join the other members of the parade.
The procession enters the Piazza del Campo on the first toll of the bell (the "Sunto") on the Torre del Mangia.
Seventeen pairs of flag-bearers stop at the various points in the Piazza and in synchrony with the roll of drums and perform a spectacular flag-waving exhibition culminating with the throwing of the flag at the end.
Between stops and the parade marches to the "passo della Diana" ("passo" means step), the musicians of Palazzo play the march of the Palio of the maestro Formichi while the city trumpeters play on their silver trumpets.
The central focus of the procession is the passing of the Carroccio, the modern counterpart of the Republic's ancient triumphal chariot on which the silken colourful Palio banner is hoisted.
After circling the square, the parade members take their places. The Palio is hoisted on to the judges stand while the seventeen flag-bearers perform their own drum roll, "la sbandierata della Vittoria" (the flag-waiving of Victory), so called because it was introduced at the end of World War I.
Taylors Valdimontone (Valley of the Ram)), Pharmacists Pantera (Panther), Masters of Stone Tartuca (Tortoise), Weavers Selva (Forest), Dyers Oca (Goose), Bankers Drago (Dragon), Potters Nicchio (Seashell), Goldsmiths Leocorno (Unicorn), Aquila (Eagle), Silk Manufacturers Bruco (Caterpillar), Cobblers Civetta (Little Owl), Wool makers Torre (Tower), Painters Giraffa (Giraffe), Carpenters Onda (Wave), Bakers Lupa (She-Wolf), Tanners Chiocciola (Snail), Smiths Istrice (Crested Porcupine).
Siena
Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008...
, Tuscany
Tuscany
Tuscany is a region in Italy. It has an area of about 23,000 square kilometres and a population of about 3.75 million inhabitants. The regional capital is Florence ....
, Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
. It is a costume parade which takes place before the famous horse race known as the Palio
Palio di Siena
The Palio di Siena is a horse race that is held twice each year, on July 2 and August 16, in Siena, Italy...
on the 2nd of July and on August 16, each year.
Description
Since the beginning of the festivities in Siena, the parade occurs before the PalioPalio di Siena
The Palio di Siena is a horse race that is held twice each year, on July 2 and August 16, in Siena, Italy...
. It is a formal choreographed civil and historic triumphal march that commemorates the ancient institutions, customs and greatness of the Republic of Siena
Siena
Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena.The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site. It is one of the nation's most visited tourist attractions, with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008...
. Special attention is given to the Contrade
Contrade of Siena
A contrada is a district, or a ward, within an Italian city. The most well-known contrade are probably the 17 contrade of Siena that race in the Palio di Siena...
whose participants form the main part of the parade. The parade takes place in the Piazza del Campo
Piazza del Campo
Piazza del Campo is the principal public space of the historic center of Siena, Tuscany, Italy and is one of Europe's greatest medieval squares. It is renowned worldwide for its beauty and architectural integrity. The Palazzo Pubblico and its Torre del Mangia, as well as various palazzi signorili...
with 14 groups and a total of almost seven hundred participants.
In the early afternoon, on the day of the Palio
Palio di Siena
The Palio di Siena is a horse race that is held twice each year, on July 2 and August 16, in Siena, Italy...
, members of the town gather in the courtyard of the Palace of Justice and under the command of the field marshal, line-up in Piazza del Duomo next to the Cathedral. They parade between the crowd on both sides of the streets called: Via del Capitano, Piazza Postierla, Via San Pietro, Via del Casato di Sopra and Via del Casato di Sotto where they join the other members of the parade.
The procession enters the Piazza del Campo on the first toll of the bell (the "Sunto") on the Torre del Mangia.
Seventeen pairs of flag-bearers stop at the various points in the Piazza and in synchrony with the roll of drums and perform a spectacular flag-waving exhibition culminating with the throwing of the flag at the end.
Between stops and the parade marches to the "passo della Diana" ("passo" means step), the musicians of Palazzo play the march of the Palio of the maestro Formichi while the city trumpeters play on their silver trumpets.
The central focus of the procession is the passing of the Carroccio, the modern counterpart of the Republic's ancient triumphal chariot on which the silken colourful Palio banner is hoisted.
After circling the square, the parade members take their places. The Palio is hoisted on to the judges stand while the seventeen flag-bearers perform their own drum roll, "la sbandierata della Vittoria" (the flag-waiving of Victory), so called because it was introduced at the end of World War I.
Composition of the Parade
- The paradeParadeA parade is a procession of people, usually organized along a street, often in costume, and often accompanied by marching bands, floats or sometimes large balloons. Parades are held for a wide range of reasons, but are usually celebrations of some kind...
starts with 6 Mazzieri (Pole-bearers). - A HorseHorseThe horse is one of two extant subspecies of Equus ferus, or the wild horse. It is a single-hooved mammal belonging to the taxonomic family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today...
follows the standard-bearerStandard-bearerA standard-bearer is a person who bears an emblem called an ensign or standard, i.e. either a type of flag or an inflexible but mobile image, which is used as a formal, visual symbol of a state, prince, military unit, etc.This can either be an occasional duty, often seen as an honour , or a...
on the "Balzana" icon accompanied by four of Siena's commanders. - Then the musicians of Palazzo advance, preceded by drums and silver trumpets that set the pace of the procession.
- These are followed by the insignia of the city, "potesteria", that represent the lands and castles of the ancient Sienese state above the standard-bearers and their replacements from the municipality of Massa Marittima and the municipality of Montalcino, which guard this historical privilege.
- The captain of the people rides with a pagePage (servant)A page or page boy is a traditionally young male servant, a messenger at the service of a nobleman or royal.-The medieval page:In medieval times, a page was an attendant to a knight; an apprentice squire...
, preceded by a standard-bearer, 3 daggerDaggerA dagger is a fighting knife with a sharp point designed or capable of being used as a thrusting or stabbing weapon. The design dates to human prehistory, and daggers have been used throughout human experience to the modern day in close combat confrontations...
bearing pages, with helmetHelmetA helmet is a form of protective gear worn on the head to protect it from injuries.Ceremonial or symbolic helmets without protective function are sometimes used. The oldest known use of helmets was by Assyrian soldiers in 900BC, who wore thick leather or bronze helmets to protect the head from...
s and swordSwordA sword is a bladed weapon used primarily for cutting or thrusting. The precise definition of the term varies with the historical epoch or the geographical region under consideration...
s, followed by 3 gonfaloniers, the "Terzi" on horseback, and three centurions of "Masse dei Terzi", also on horseback, all accompanied by grooms. - In the next group is represents the Studio Senese (Senese means from Siena), it includes two drummers, a standard-bearerStandard-bearerA standard-bearer is a person who bears an emblem called an ensign or standard, i.e. either a type of flag or an inflexible but mobile image, which is used as a formal, visual symbol of a state, prince, military unit, etc.This can either be an occasional duty, often seen as an honour , or a...
, a rectorRectorThe word rector has a number of different meanings; it is widely used to refer to an academic, religious or political administrator...
, four teachers and four students. - The standard-bearer and 3 of the Magistrates Merchandise preceded by two drummers followed by six representatives of each ContradaContrade of SienaA contrada is a district, or a ward, within an Italian city. The most well-known contrade are probably the 17 contrade of Siena that race in the Palio di Siena...
preceded by standard-bearerStandard-bearerA standard-bearer is a person who bears an emblem called an ensign or standard, i.e. either a type of flag or an inflexible but mobile image, which is used as a formal, visual symbol of a state, prince, military unit, etc.This can either be an occasional duty, often seen as an honour , or a...
who rears the banner of each of the guilds of each ContradaContrade of SienaA contrada is a district, or a ward, within an Italian city. The most well-known contrade are probably the 17 contrade of Siena that race in the Palio di Siena...
:
Taylors Valdimontone (Valley of the Ram)), Pharmacists Pantera (Panther), Masters of Stone Tartuca (Tortoise), Weavers Selva (Forest), Dyers Oca (Goose), Bankers Drago (Dragon), Potters Nicchio (Seashell), Goldsmiths Leocorno (Unicorn), Aquila (Eagle), Silk Manufacturers Bruco (Caterpillar), Cobblers Civetta (Little Owl), Wool makers Torre (Tower), Painters Giraffa (Giraffe), Carpenters Onda (Wave), Bakers Lupa (She-Wolf), Tanners Chiocciola (Snail), Smiths Istrice (Crested Porcupine).
- A page bearing the "Masgalano" (prize for the best "pop") with two pages following.
- Contrada parade of the ten in the race. Each appearance is as follows: a drummer, two bishops, the "Duce" escorted by two armed men, then more pages holding the banner of the ContradaContrade of SienaA contrada is a district, or a ward, within an Italian city. The most well-known contrade are probably the 17 contrade of Siena that race in the Palio di Siena...
flanked by two pages bearing the flags of the military companies. On a large horse (called the "soprallasso") escorted by a groom, is the jockey in ceremonial dress, followed the horse which is racing. Contradas participating in the Palio enter the order determined by the drawn lots. - A double row of six little pages bearing the symbolic garlands, form division with the Contrade excluded from this Palio.
- The appearance of the 7 Contrade not participating consist of the following elements: the drummer, two bishops, a leader escorted by two soldiers, Major page and Banner Carrier with two pages bearing the flags of the old military companies.
- This is followed by six knights pagesPage (servant)A page or page boy is a traditionally young male servant, a messenger at the service of a nobleman or royal.-The medieval page:In medieval times, a page was an attendant to a knight; an apprentice squire...
, representatives Contradas which no longer exist (Gallo, Lion, Bear, Oak, Spadaforte, Viper). - 20 archersArcheryArchery is the art, practice, or skill of propelling arrows with the use of a bow, from Latin arcus. Archery has historically been used for hunting and combat; in modern times, however, its main use is that of a recreational activity...
preceded by a page flag holder by the Captain, 2 and 4 drummers. - Following these the Captain of Justice with a horse and PagePage (servant)A page or page boy is a traditionally young male servant, a messenger at the service of a nobleman or royal.-The medieval page:In medieval times, a page was an attendant to a knight; an apprentice squire...
, escorted by four armed soldiers. - The procession is closed by the Carroccio (cart) pulled by four oxen. on the Carroccio are the Balia, a the bearer of the Palio, a valet who plays the "Martinella" and 6 trumpeters.
- The CarroccioCarroccioA Carroccio was a four-wheeled war altar, mounting a large vexillum standard, drawn by oxen, used by the medieval republics of Italy. It was a rectangular platform on which the standard of the city and an altar were erected; priests held services on the altar before the battle, and the trumpeters...
is accompanied by eight soldiers armed with Roncone and is followed by six knights representing many old noble families of Siena: Pannocchieschi d'Elci, Piccolomini, Salimbeni, Salvani, Tolomei, Ugurgieri . - The historical processionProcessionA procession is an organized body of people advancing in a formal or ceremonial manner.-Procession elements:...
ends with six pages bearing a laurel wreathLaurel wreathA laurel wreath is a circular wreath made of interlocking branches and leaves of the bay laurel , an aromatic broadleaf evergreen. In Greek mythology, Apollo is represented wearing a laurel wreath on his head...
.