Siena Local Customs

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Sienese people love their town and very proud of it, 99,99% of locals will tell you it's the most beautiful among all Italian cities. You should never tell in Siena that Florence is more beautiful, in case it is your opinion you better keep it for yourself or wont be welcomed in the town. Siena is, as Italians telling it, "alla misura dell'uomo" - made to the measure of man.
There excist something in the town, however, what Sienese hate alot although most of them will never admit it to a stranger, they hate merlons which could be seen on the top of many buildings. In its medieval times Siena was a Ghibelline stronghold, supporting the Holy Roman Empire and all merlons used to be different, the upper part ending with a swallow-talied form. Florence was Guelph town, supporting the pope and the merlons have rectangular shape. When Cosimo I de Medici have defeated Siena, all merlons in the town were transformed into Guelph rectangular shape.
Guelph supporters tended to come wealthy mercantile families, whereas Ghibellines were predominantly those whose wealth was based on agricultural estates. Bigger towns, such as Florence, Genoa, Bologna, Mantova or Brescia were Guelph part, while smaller towns such as Siena, Pisa, Modena, Cremona or Arezzo supported Ghibellines.

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The winner of August Palio in 2005 was Contrada di Torre and that victory occured after long period of "dryness". No need to describe the rapture of contradioli which could be noticed on each face in Via Salicotto. I was there in the early afternoon when guys started with the preparations for evening party and got invitation to join them.
At the same time Contrada's ladies, all dressed in black, gathered for the procession throughout the city visiting all Contradas and bantering at the loosers. Part of them got small trumpets for making noice while other in the procession carrying all sizes of baby-soothers. They told me it's a part of the tradition and must be held.
I spent hour of time at the evening party with the contradioli, enjoying in local food and wine. It was loudly and gaily but at the same time very decently.

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On the pictures attached to this review there are five locations in the city centre of Siena and each and every single one of them is a must when visiting the town.
Dear Mr. Mayor, Siena, as a town, isn't private property, it doesn't belong either to Italy only, Siena is patrimony of the world!
Many tourists visiting Siena because of its exceptional beauty, do they must to fight against the cars when stolling around? Or maybe Sienese people don't like if tourists take the photos and therefore covering sights with the cars!

It is out of question that such an passage-way, which obviously wasn't constructed "only yesterday", must be protected by the local tourist association. Is it use as an free and well protected parking place for a local bikers with or without permission by the local authorities? Or, (what seems to be more likely), even the local tourist board have no idea of such an unappropriate abusing.
Hope this picture might help to open some sleeping eyes who are paid for preserving the historical structure of Siena.

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San Giuseppe was built in 1521, ordered by Fraternita dei Falegnami (brotherhood of joiners) but in 1786 it become the property of Contrada dell'Onda. It has brickwork facade while the interior in a plan of Greek cross, surmounted by an octagonal dome with a lantern. The crypt is an suggestive 16th century hall which contains the contrada's museum.
Fontana Onda (wave), in via di Fontanella, work of the architect Alfonso Buoninsegni was inaugurated in 1972. It is placed on the sight where used to stand the old Fonte di Fontanella, which is no longer accesible to the public. Fontana Onda is landmark of Contrada Onda.
Fontana isnt a decorative element only, it has much more important role in the life of its parishioners. According to the tradition each new born contradiolo must be baptised with the water of the contrada's fountain and it is happening once a year on a Contrada's patron saint day. It is a kind of initiation, after being baptised a new born baby is receiving a scarf with the contrada's colours and officialy entering into the contrada.

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The seat of this Contrada is in Via del Comune 44, which belongs to Terzo di Camollia. As all other Contradas it has its own church, built on the contributions by its members. The oratory dates back to 1680 ands is dedicated to Santissimo Dio. The patron saint of contrada is Visitation of Mary the Virgin.
Each contrada's church has a special function on a day of Palio. After lunch time, around 2am, they bring the horse inside of the church and is being blessed by the local priest.

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The seat of Contrada della Torre is situated in Via Salicotto 103, which belongs to the Terzzo di San Martino. Torre is winner of Palio in 2005 and some pictures, you can see here, are taken during the victory celebrations. By the way, it was long time waited victory and the members were trully exaltated.
Oratorio di San Giacomo, in Via di Salicotto, is official church and the seat of Contrada della Torre. Patron saint of contrada is St. John the Apostle and St. Anne.

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I didn't see a lot of nudity in Italy but I assume that it is okay since I saw this flag shorts with a "male organ" picture. This "short flag" was placed in front of the store as if it's the flag of the store...