The Contrade in Italy

Contrada 

Contrade (plural) 

A contrada is simply an Italian district 

or what we might call a neighborhood, 

a tightly-knitted neighborhood proud of its communal history. 

Each contrada serves as the community in which its residents 

celebrate life events together. 

Contrada della Selva

Siena boasts the most well known of the contrade - 

there are 17 of them here. 

During celebrations,

streets are lined with the identifying flag of its contrada

Nobile Contrada dell’ Aquila

Twice yearly, representatives from 10 contrada 

participate in the Palio di Siena. 

(Other cities also have the Palio.)

The Palio is a bareback horserace 

in which the jockeys

attempt to beat their rival contrada. 

The Palio dates to medieval times 

and replaced bull fighting. 

(Yay to that.)

The streets fly their flags 

and the riders wear their respective colors. 

A contrada headquarters.  Horses enter below, people above. 

We just missed the Palio di Siena. 

But the excitement was still in the air 

with the flag lined streets 

and the residents still discussing the results.

Piazzo del Campo, where the Palio is held. 

Oh, and you aren't a member of a contrada by moving in to the neighborhood, 

you are born into membership. 

So the best you can do now is 'adopt' a contrade, 

which is exactly what our 

Rick Steves' tour guide, Tricia, did. 

Tricia shows the flag of her adopted contrada, Contrada della Torre

Until visiting Italy, 

I never heard of the Palio. 

But wow, how exciting would 

being an observer be?

Siena's Contrade

More of my photos from Siena are here.

Weaving Lanes of Medieval Orvieto

View of Orvieto

The historic center of Orvieto 

is perched high on a volcanic rock in Umbria, Italy. 

Surrounding it below is the newer part 

of Orvieto. 

View from the top.

To get from one to the other you can climb, climb, climb 

or you can use an elevator, escalator, mini bus or a funicular 

as parking above is restricted to only residents. 

There is a large public lot below. 

Once you arrive you will be greeted by 

weaving lanes of intersecting cobbled lanes 

that can quickly disorient you, 

so take note of the landmarks along your path. 

A cobbled lane in Orvieto.

The jewel of Orvieto is 

the gothic cathedral. 

Cathedral of Orvieto

After 300 years of work the duomo was completed in 1591. 

But Orvieto itself has history dating back to the ancient Etruscans. 

Cathedral of Orvieto

One of the things to do here is to visit the old underground tunnels and caves
that have been carved out of the soft rock below the town.
Many of these areas are privately owned,
but with a guide you can visit a section of them.

The View from our Room at the Grand Italia 

There is also an interesting well 

with steps created to enable the mules to carry water out. 

The design of the dual steps creates a double helix. 

Morning Gossip

If your visit includes a Saturday 

you will see the locals catching up 

and sharing news  with each other 

throughout the town. 

At the Market

Saturday also offers a market of tempting food, clothing and home goods. 

Bring cash as no credit is accepted. 

Holy Laundry

But my favorite thing was to wander the streets and alleys 

and see the people and architecture of Orvieto. 

If you can make it to Umbria, 

and want a place a little less touristy 

then make a stop in Orvieto.

Wine Tasting at Tenuta Le Velette, Umbria, Italy

Wine Tasting Experience...

Yes, please. 

Especially at an Umbrian winery with an idyllic view like this one has! 

The front door. 

Our guide Cecilia is also an owner of the winery

so she knows the wines and estate well. 

Etruscan wine cellar from 400 BC. 

Our wines were paired with appropriate 

cheeses, meats or breads for a perfect tasting experience. 

In the cellars...these wines are not used
but occasionally opened by family.

Cecelia made sure we experienced 

how the food pairings affected how we tasted the wine. 

Of course we bought some to bring home. 

But then we found out you can also purchase their wine in the US! 

Yay. 

We had a perfect visit here. 

The weather. 

The view.

The wine. 

The experience. 

View of the hill town of Orvieto from the Winery

I pretty much loved every wine I had in Italy

and today's wines were no exception to that. 

Visit if you can! 

You can also stay on the property if you like. 

More of my images from the winery are here.

Localita Le Velette 23, 05018, Orvieto, Italy