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The Palio of Siena(12 images)
  • The Piazza Del Campo is alive with cheers and emotion from the Sienese and tourists alike as the jockeys ride their horses bareback around the bend at San Martino. The entire event culminates with one race that circles the piazza three times. By photographer Michael Stenerson
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  • The flag of the Drago contrada is waved in front of the Palazzo Publico during the Drago%u2019s annual parade through the city of Siena. The flags of 7 other contradas are seen mounted on the facade of the Palazzo Publico signifying those who will race in the coming Palio. By photographer Michael Stenerson
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  • The Chiocciola contrada floods the head of the Piazza del Campo after their contrada was drawn at the extraction. Each palio three contradas are drawn from a hat to race a second consecutive time. The contradas feel this is a good omen and the entire group celebrates with pride that they will race again. By photographer Michael Stenerson
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  • A jockey clutches his broken leg as paramedics rush to remove him from the course where the other horses are still running. By photographer Michael Stenerson
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  •  By photographer Michael Stenerson
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  • The girls of the Lupa contrada prepare plates for dinner and fool around in the contrada%u2019s kitchen the night before the Palio. The dinners host hundreds of contradioli and serve as both a way to celebrate the contrada and to bond as a community. By photographer Michael Stenerson
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  •  By photographer Michael Stenerson
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  • A member of the Onda contrada takes a break from the annual parade through the city of Siena to wipe his brow in the sweltering heat. By photographer Michael Stenerson
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  •  By photographer Michael Stenerson
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  • The Bruco contrada, right, enters into the mossa (starting gate) as the mossier drops the rope and starts the race. The tenth horse in the lineup has the disadvantage of starting in the outside lane, but the advantage of a running start. By photographer Michael Stenerson
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  • From right, the Drago, Onda, Lupa, Leocorno, Oca, Pantera, and Valdimontone contradas race against each other in the August Palio. There are no rules in the Palio and the jockeys are all equipped with whips that they may use in any way they choose. They may whip their opponents to gain an advantage, fulfill a bribe, or to spur their horses on. By photographer Michael Stenerson
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  • The victorious Istrice contrada celebrates in the church of San Provenzano after the July Palio. The usual sanctity of the church is broken for a short time as the winning contrada brings the Palio banner to the altar for an offering of thanks. By photographer Michael Stenerson
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