Contrada is a district or district of an Italian city. Seventeen contractions of Siena became world famous thanks to the races of the Siena Palio that they organize. Each Siena contrast is named after an animal or some object, and each has a rich history, heraldry and mythology.
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History
Contrasts developed in the Middle Ages , and their main task was to supply food and replenishment to the troops that Siena hired to defend or fight Florence . Over time, military functions have disappeared, and contractions have become not only an administrative, but also a social entity. All significant events in the life of Sienzians: births, weddings, funerals, holidays take place inside the home of the counter as in a large family. A wedding does not change affiliation. If people from different counterparts marry, then, usually, the born girls belong to the mother’s counter, and the boys belong to the father’s counter. Each counter has its own museum, fountain, square, baptismal, motto, friendly counter (the counties of Goose and She-Wolf have no allies) and an adversary. Four counterattacks (Caterpillars, Dragon, Giraffe and Forest) have no official opponents. Most often, contenders bordering one another are the rivals.
Initially, there were 59 contra, but over time their number decreased to 17.
Contra Siena
Aquila (Eagle)
Aquila (Aquila) is located southwest of Piazza del Campo in the city center, and is the "home" contrast of the cathedral. Traditionally, the inhabitants of this counter became notaries.
This contrast gained 28 victories in the Palio, the last victory was July 3, 1992.
The symbol of contrast is a black two-headed eagle with a power, a sword and a scepter in its paws. The color of the contrast is yellow with blue and black trim.
Orel's Contrada is one of four “noble” contrades, the title of “noble” was bestowed upon her by the Holy Roman Emperor Karl Fifth in gratitude for the warm welcome he received in 1536 .
The Contrada Museum houses the oldest surviving prize pennant of the Palio dating back to 1719.
The holy patron of the Eagle is the Name of the Virgin, the day of the saint is celebrated on September 8.
The eagle is friends with the Owl and the Dragon. The enemy of the Eagle is the Panther.
Bruco (Caterpillar)
Bruco (Bruco) is located north of Piazza del Campo. Previously, the inhabitants of the counter were engaged in silk trading.
The symbol of contrast is a crowned caterpillar crawling on a rose. Contrast colors are green and yellow with blue trim.
The caterpillar is one of four “noble” contractions, it deserved it in 1369 for the courage of its people, shown in the war with Charles the Fourth, and strengthened in 1371, when it led an uprising in the city.
The Mother of God is the patron saint, and the meeting is the meeting of the Virgin Mary and the righteous Elizabeth, celebrated on July 2.
The motto of the counter is "My name sounds like a revolution!" ("Come rivoluzion suona il mio nome")
The caterpillar is in alliance with Porcupine, Sink and Tower and does not officially compete with any counter, as its enmity with the neighboring counter of Giraffe has ended.
In total, the counterattack had 37 victories, the last on August 16, 2008.
Chiocciola (Snail)
Chiocciola (Kyochchola) is located on the southwestern outskirts of the city. Usually the inhabitants of the counter were engaged in the production of ceramics. Most tourists who come on an excursion to Siena enter the city precisely through this contrarad.
The symbol of the counter is the snail. Colors are red and yellow trimmed with blue.
Snail feuds with Turtle. The allies of the Snail are Porcupine, Panther and Forest.
In total, the counterattack had 54 victories, the last on August 16, 1999.
Civetta (Owl)
Civetta (Civetta) is located north of Piazza del Campo, in the city center. Traditionally, the shoemakers lived in contra.
The symbol of contrast is a crowned owl sitting on a branch. Contrast colors are red and black with white stripes.
For a long time, Sych’s contra was bore the nickname of Grandma, since Palio had not won for more than 30 years.
Friendly contra: Eagle, Porcupine, Giraffe, Panther. Contender Contender: Unicorn.
In total, the counterattack had 37 victories, the last on August 16, 2014.
Drago (Dragon)
Drago (Drago) is located northwest of Plaza del Campo. Usually its inhabitants became bank employees.
The symbol of contrast is a flying golden dragon carrying a banner with the letter U on it. The color is pink and green, trimmed with yellow.
Friendly contra - Eagle, there is no official rival, and never has been, although there have been slight disagreements with Caterpillar, Wolf and Forest.
In total, the counterattack had 37 victories, the last of July 2, 2014.
Giraffa
Giraffa (Giraffa) - a rich area of the city, located northeast of Plaza del Campo. Traditionally, painters and artists live in it.
The symbol of the contrast is the giraffe, which is led by the Moor, and the ribbon with the motto "Umbertus I dedit" ( Umberto the First gave this ). The colors of the contrast are white and red.
The giraffe has the title of "imperial" counter. He was bestowed by Victor Emmanuel the Third in 1936 for his victory in the Palio, dedicated to the Italian Empire in East Africa.
Allied contra: Owl, Porcupine and Panther. There is no official opponent.
In total, the counter was 41 victories, the last of July 2, 2017.
Istrice (Porcupine)
Istrice (Istrich) occupies the northwestern outskirts of the city. On the territory of the counter is the church of Saints Vincenzo and Anastasia, which preserved the oldest frescoes in the city, as well as the burial place of the artist Pinturicchio .
The symbol of contrast is porcupine. Its colors are red, white, blue and black.
Porcupine bears the title of "sovereign" counter. This title was granted for the location on the territory of the counter during the XIV century, the headquarters of the Order of Malta .
The motto of the counter: "We release thorns only to protect ourselves"
Contrado Allies of the Porcupine: Caterpillar, Owl, Snail and Giraffe. Contrast-rival: She-wolf.
In total, the counter was 42 victories, the last of July 2, 2008.
Leocorno (Unicorn)
Leocorno (Leocorno) is located east of Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, the inhabitants of the counter became jewelers.
The symbol of contra is the reared unicorn and the motto “Humberti regio gratia” (“Kingdom by the Grace of Umberto ”). Its colors are orange and white, bordered in blue.
Allied Contrast - Panther and Turtle. The enemy is Owl.
In total, the counter was 32 victories, the last on August 16, 2007.
Lupa (Wolf)
Lupa is located in the north of the city. Usually, the inhabitants of the counter became bakers.
The symbol of contrast is the she-wolf in the ancient crown, feeding the twins Romulus and Remus. The colors of the contrast are black and white, trimmed with orange. The symbol comes from the legend that Siena was founded by Senia, the son of Rem .
The Wolf Museum exhibits a photograph of Giuseppe Garibaldi , which he donated to the counter in honor of the victory in Palio in 1867.
There are no friendly counterparts, the rival is Porcupine.
In total, the counterattack had 35 victories, the last of July 2, 2016.
Nicchio (Shell)
Nicchio (Niccio) at the far eastern tip of the city. Traditionally, its population was made up of potters.
The symbol of contrast is the crowned scallop shell covered by two coral branches. Its color is blue with yellow and red patterns.
The cockleshell is one of four “noble” counters, it earned the title during the Battle of Montaerti during the war with Florence in 1260, when the soldiers of the counter led the attack on the Florentine troops.
Allied contra: Caterpillar, Wave and Turtle. Opponent - Ram.
In total, the counterattack had 47 victories, the last on August 16, 1998.
Oca (Goose)
Oca is located west of Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, the inhabitants of the counter made paints.
The symbol of contrast is the crowned goose, on whose neck there is a blue ribbon with a Savoy cross. Its colors are green and white with red trim.
The goose is one of four “noble” contrades. This title was earned by the courage of the soldiers of the counter, manifested in many wars waged by the Siena Republic.
Contrada has no allies, her rival is the Tower.
In total, the counterattack had 66 victories, the last of July 2, 2013.
Onda (Wave)
Onda (Onda) goes south from Plaza del Campo. Traditionally, its inhabitants were carpenters.
The symbol of contrast is the dolphin. Its colors are white and blue. The motto of the counter: "The color of the sky, the strength of the sea" ("Il colore del cielo, la forza del mare").
The wave has the title of captain's counter, because in the past its soldiers guarded the Public Palace ( Palazzo Publico ). A native of this contra was the famous Italian sculptor Giovanni Dupre , in his honor named the main street of the Wave.
Friendly contra: Shell, Turtle and Ram. Enemy Contrada: Tower.
In total, the counterattack had 45.5 victories, the last on August 16, 2013.
Pantera (Panther)
Pantera (Panther) is located on the western edge of the city. Traditionally, its inhabitants were grocers and pharmacists.
The symbol of the contra is the rearing panther. Its colors are red, blue and white.
Allied contra: Snail, Owl, Giraffe, Unicorn. Opponent - Eagle.
In total, the counterattack had 29 victories, the last of July 2, 2006.
Selva (Forest)
Selva (Selva) goes west of Plaza del Campo. Traditionally, the inhabitants of the counter were weavers, but at the time when the counter was fought, they also had the glory of excellent archers.
The symbol of contrast is a rhinoceros, standing under an oak tree, on which hunting equipment hangs. Its colors are green and orange with a white border.
Friendly contra: Snail and Turtle, there is no official rival.
In total, the counter was 43 victories, the last on August 16, 2015.
Tartuca (Turtle)
Tartuca (Tartuk) is located on the southern edge of the city. Traditionally populated by sculptors.
The symbol of the counter is the Greek tortoise with Savoy knots interspersed with daisies. Its colors are yellow and dark blue.
Allies: Unicorn, Shell, Wave and Forest. Opponent: Snail.
In total, the counterattack had 54.5 victories, the last on October 20, 2018.
Torre (Tower)
Torre (Torre) is southeast of Piazza del Campo in the city center and includes the Siena Jewish Quarter and the synagogue. Traditionally, wool felts lived there.
The symbol of the counter is the elephant (the original name of the counter was Leofante , that is, the Elephant ) with a tower on its back. Her color is raspberry, with white and blue stripes.
Union Contrada - Caterpillar. The tower is the only contrast that has two rivals at once: Wave and Goose.
In total, the counter was 51 victories, the last of July 2, 2015
Valdimontone (Ram)
Valdimontone (Valdimontone) is located on the southeastern outskirts of the city, near the Roman Gate. Traditionally, the inhabitants of the counter were tailors. The name of the counterpart in literal translation means "Valley of the ram", but in everyday life the name is most often reduced to "Ram".
The symbol of contrada is a crowned rearing ram with a blue shield, letter U in honor of Umberto . Her colors are red and yellow, with white trim.
The ram’s ally is the Wave, the adversary is the Shell.
In total, the counterattack had 48 victories, the last on August 16, 2012.