The actual Palio at Sienna

Here is the ox-cart carrying the "Palio" (banner) of the Madonna of Provenzano who has a church dedicated in Sienna. Each Palio is hand painted for the race.

Sienna and the Palio race is the nearest thing to stepping back into the Italian Middle Ages possible. The districts of the City, "contrade" compete in a bare back horse race three-time around the Piazza del Campo in central Sienna, which has some very tight corners. This year it took 1 minute 13 seconds, and thankfully no jockey or horse was injured.

The winner this year was the Drago (dragon) Contrada, and received the "Palio" or the rag, as the prize.