IL PALIO DI SIENA 2013

The Palio di Siena, or simply IL PALIO as it is known by the locals is held twice a year, on July the 2nd & August 16th. This year I was fortunate to be back in town in time to see the August Palio. Yesterday was not my first time however, having twice watched the spectacle live from the "Bull Ring" in the centre of Piazza del Campo.

The funny thing was that this year I wasn't particularly fased if I went to Siena to watch or not. I had actually planned to hit the Bar in front of the TV with a beer & a few mates. That was until I received an offer I couldn't refuse.

Some very good friends of mine were invited to watch from one of the "Palazzi" over looking possibly one of the most beautiful squares in Italy, Piazza del Campo & very kindly invited me as their guest. How could I refuse an afternoon hobnobbing with some VIP's drinking champagne overlooking all the common folk jammed into the piazza.

Here's some history & a bit of an explanation of IL PALIO courtesy of wikipedia.....

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palio_di_Siena


 Check out my photos. Enjoy.......