Skip to main content

Palio Collection

The Palio, an exhilarating horse race held in Siena, Italy, is a spectacle that captivates both locals and tourists alike

Background imagePalio Collection: The Palio, Siena, Italy

The Palio, Siena, Italy
The Palio - a spectacular (if rather dangerous for riders and spectators) horse race, run round the Piazza del Campo in Siena

Background imagePalio Collection: Riders racing at El Palio horse race festival, Piazza del Campo, Siena

Riders racing at El Palio horse race festival, Piazza del Campo, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Background imagePalio Collection: Riders racing at El Palio horse race festival, Piazza del Campo, Siena

Riders racing at El Palio horse race festival, Piazza del Campo, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Background imagePalio Collection: Italy / Siena Palio 1913

Italy / Siena Palio 1913
Siena: crowds gather in the Campo in front of the Palazzo Pubblico to watch the annual horse race, known as the Palio Date: 1913

Background imagePalio Collection: ITALY. Siena. Piazza de Il Campo, where Il Palio

ITALY. Siena. Piazza de Il Campo, where Il Palio

Background imagePalio Collection: Flags and lamps of the Chiocciola

Flags and lamps of the Chiocciola (snail) contrada in the Via San Marco during the Palio, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Background imagePalio Collection: Palio, Siena

Palio, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Background imagePalio Collection: Palio, Siena

Palio, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Background imagePalio Collection: Italy, Tuscany, Siena, torre del mangia, the tower of the town hall

Italy, Tuscany, Siena, torre del mangia, the tower of the town hall and the piazza del campo on the extraction day of the Palio

Background imagePalio Collection: Mangias tower and street with Contrade flags of Onda, Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Mangias tower and street with Contrade flags of Onda, Siena, Tuscany, Italy

Background imagePalio Collection: The Palio of Siena (oil on canvas)

The Palio of Siena (oil on canvas)
3736737 The Palio of Siena (oil on canvas) by Bonzagni, Aroldo (1887-1918); 71x55 cm; Assicoop-Unipol Collection, Modena, Emilia Romagna

Background imagePalio Collection: Il Palio

Il Palio Ridden By J. Millman Craven Meeting, Newmarket Rowley Mile Course, Newmarket, England 18 April 2006 Date: 18 April 2006

Background imagePalio Collection: Sienne (engraving)

Sienne (engraving)
2783292 Sienne (engraving) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Sienne. Illustration for Journal Des Voyages, 7 October 1894.); © Look and Learn

Background imagePalio Collection: Panel from a Cassone: The Race of the Palio in the Streets of Florence

Panel from a Cassone: The Race of the Palio in the Streets of Florence
3927700 Panel from a Cassone: The Race of the Palio in the Streets of Florence, 1418 (tempera & gold on wood) by Toscani, Giovanni Francesco (1370-1430); 42.1x139.5 cm; Cleveland Museum of Art, OH

Background imagePalio Collection: A Festa in the Campo del Campo, Siena, 1597 (oil on canvas)

A Festa in the Campo del Campo, Siena, 1597 (oil on canvas)
WEI50610 A Festa in the Campo del Campo, Siena, 1597 (oil on canvas) by Rustici, Vincenzo (1556-1632); Private Collection; Italian, out of copyright

Background imagePalio Collection: Guidoriccio da Fogliano Besieging Monte Massi (fresco)

Guidoriccio da Fogliano Besieging Monte Massi (fresco)
PHD51590 Guidoriccio da Fogliano Besieging Monte Massi (fresco) by Martini, Simone (1284-1344); Palazzo Communale, Siena, Italy; Italian, out of copyright

Background imagePalio Collection: The Horse-Race, or 'Palio, 'at Sienna, the Benediction of a Competitor in Church (engraving)

The Horse-Race, or "Palio, "at Sienna, the Benediction of a Competitor in Church (engraving)
1062843 The Horse-Race, or " Palio, " at Sienna, the Benediction of a Competitor in Church (engraving) by Charlton, John (1849-1917) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Horse-Race)

Background imagePalio Collection: The Horse-Race, or 'Palio, 'at Sienna, the Race in the Piazza (engraving)

The Horse-Race, or "Palio, "at Sienna, the Race in the Piazza (engraving)
1062902 The Horse-Race, or " Palio, " at Sienna, the Race in the Piazza (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: The Horse-Race, or " Palio)

Background imagePalio Collection: Separè

Separè
Roberto Marini

Background imagePalio Collection: Italy, Tuscany, Siena, Piazza del Campo viewed from top of the Torre del Mangia with the

Italy, Tuscany, Siena, Piazza del Campo viewed from top of the Torre del Mangia with the Fonte Gaia or Fountain of the World prominent

Background imagePalio Collection: Italy, Tuscany, Siena, Angular view of the Torre del Mangia in Piazza del Campo

Italy, Tuscany, Siena, Angular view of the Torre del Mangia in Piazza del Campo

Background imagePalio Collection: Italy, Tuscany, Siena, Piazza del Campo with the Torre del Mangia

Italy, Tuscany, Siena, Piazza del Campo with the Torre del Mangia and Palazzo Publico or Town Hall

Background imagePalio Collection: Tuscany landscape around Siena

Tuscany landscape around Siena
Siena and outskirts, seen from above

Background imagePalio Collection: Blessing Horses, Siena

Blessing Horses, Siena
SIENA PALIO Before taking part in the annual race through the streets, competing horses are blessed in a church Date: 1893

Background imagePalio Collection: Procession of the Globe, Ferrara, engraved by Lorenzo Tinti, 1672 (engraving)

Procession of the Globe, Ferrara, engraved by Lorenzo Tinti, 1672 (engraving)
XJF468530 Procession of the Globe, Ferrara, engraved by Lorenzo Tinti, 1672 (engraving) by Ferrari, Francesco (1634-1708) (after); Private Collection; (add.info.: Palio Parade in Ferrara)

Background imagePalio Collection: Siena cityscape

Siena cityscape
Siena and Tuscany landscape, seen from above

Background imagePalio Collection: Siena cityscape from above

Siena cityscape from above

Background imagePalio Collection: Siena cityscape

Siena cityscape seen from above

Background imagePalio Collection: Siena houses

Siena houses
Sienese houses, seen from above

Background imagePalio Collection: Siena cityscape

Siena cityscape
Siena medieval cityscape, seen from above

Background imagePalio Collection: Siena from above

Siena from above
Medieval Sienese cityscape, seen from a birds eye perspective

Background imagePalio Collection: Siena rooftops

Siena rooftops
Rooftops of medieval and renaissance Sienese buildings, huddling together

Background imagePalio Collection: Europe, Italy, Tuscany, Siena Palio Team Fundraising Party by Basilica

Europe, Italy, Tuscany, Siena Palio Team Fundraising Party by Basilica
Europe, Italy, Tuscany, Siena, Palio Team Fundraising Party by Basilica di San Domenico

Background imagePalio Collection: Italy. Tuscany. Siena. Palio

Italy. Tuscany. Siena. Palio

Background imagePalio Collection: Europe. Italy. Tuscany. Siena. Palio Race. Scene After a Trial Race

Europe. Italy. Tuscany. Siena. Palio Race. Scene After a Trial Race

Background imagePalio Collection: ITALY. Siena. Mangia Tower and Piazza del Campo

ITALY. Siena. Mangia Tower and Piazza del Campo, where Il Palio is celebrated

Background imagePalio Collection: Horses and guards parading at El Palio horse race festival, Piazza del Campo

Horses and guards parading at El Palio horse race festival, Piazza del Campo, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Background imagePalio Collection: Colourfully dressed contrada member watching the Palio, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Colourfully dressed contrada member watching the Palio, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Background imagePalio Collection: Follower of the Chiocciola (snail) contrada awaiting the Palio, Siena, Tuscany

Follower of the Chiocciola (snail) contrada awaiting the Palio, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Background imagePalio Collection: Large banquet in the Contrada quarter

Large banquet in the Contrada quarter, Palio, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Background imagePalio Collection: The opening parade of the Palio horse race

The opening parade of the Palio horse race, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Background imagePalio Collection: The Palio, standard bearers of the Aquila (Eagle) contrada

The Palio, standard bearers of the Aquila (Eagle) contrada, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe

Background imagePalio Collection: Palio banquet for members of the Onda (Wave) contrada

Palio banquet for members of the Onda (Wave) contrada, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, Europe




For sale as Licensed Images

Choose your image, Select your licence and Download the media

The Palio, an exhilarating horse race held in Siena, Italy, is a spectacle that captivates both locals and tourists alike. Dating back to the 17th century, this historic event takes place twice a year in the iconic Piazza del Campo. The riders, representing different contrade (neighborhoods), fiercely compete for victory. As the horses thunder through the cobblestone streets of Siena during El Palio festival, adrenaline fills the air. Flags and lamps adorned with symbols of each contrada flutter proudly above the bustling crowd. The Chiocciola district's vibrant colors catch your eye as they speed past. Steeped in tradition and rivalry, Il Palio has been an integral part of Sienese culture for centuries. Its roots can be traced back to 1913 when it was first officially documented. This thrilling race continues to unite locals who cheer passionately for their contrada. Walking along the streets surrounding Mangias tower, you'll encounter Contrade flags proudly displayed on every corner. Onda's blue waves blend harmoniously with Siena's picturesque scenery – a testament to its rich history and artistic heritage. Artists have immortalized this grand event on canvas throughout history; their oil paintings capturing every moment of intensity during The Palio of Siena. Engravings also depict scenes from this legendary race - a true symbol of pride for all who call Siena home. Il Palio is not just about racing; it represents unity among neighborhoods and celebrates centuries-old traditions passed down through generations. It embodies everything that makes Siena unique – its passion, artistry, and love for equestrian sports. So next time you find yourself in Italy's enchanting city of Siena, immerse yourself in the fervor surrounding The Palio - witness firsthand how this ancient tradition continues to ignite hearts and create lasting memories within its walls.