What is a Contrada in Italy?

A contrada (plural: contrade) is a subdivision (of various types) of Italian city, now unofficial. Depending on the case, a contrada will be a località, a rione, a quartiere (terziere, etc.), a borgo, or even a suburb.

Where is Siena and Florence located?

Tuscany
Take a historical and cultural trip to Siena and Florence in Tuscany. Overview of Tuscany, Italy, including discussions of Siena and Florence.

How many neighborhoods are there in Siena?

17 neighborhoods
There are 17 neighborhoods in the historic center of Siena that participate in the Palio (a neighborhood is a “contrada,” and the plural is “contrade”). During the running of each Palio in Siena, 10 of the participating contrade send a horse and rider to the race.

Is Siena worth visiting?

Most tourists are content to see Siena on a day trip, as it’s just 35 miles south of Florence and its big-time museums. But with its cascading narrow lanes, fine central piazza, and proud sense of self, strollable Siena is easily worth a longer visit.

Is Siena safe?

Siena, Italy is a very safe destination. Crime rates are remarkably low, while well-lit streets and frequent police patrols keep the streets safe. The largest risk usually occurs from fighting among drunken revelers, while petty crimes such as vandalism do occasionally happen here.

What region is Siena in?

Province of Siena
Map highlighting the location of the province of Siena in Italy
Country Italy
Region Tuscany
Capital(s) Siena

Is Florence or Siena better?

While both Siena and Florence are known for their art and historic architecture, Florence is a renaissance town at its core while Siena is medieval. Florence is home to the world-famous terracotta-domed cathedral, which you can climb to the top of for sprawling views of the city.

How many districts are there in Siena?

17
The districts of Siena: their names and their historic rivalries. As we mentioned earlier, today the districts of Siena are 17, although initially they were supposedly 23. Each of them has the name of an animal or a fantastic creature, but there are others that refer to nature, historic buildings or even places.