Contrada Members
How does one become a Contradaiolo
(member of a Contrada)?
The definitive Contradaiolo
is one who is born in the territory of the Contrada. But there are also those who come
along later, some even from outside Siena, who feel a sense of belonging to a particular
Contrada, and who espouse that Contrada, its colours and insignia.
Have one to enroll himself to a Contrada
to be a member?
It isn't essential, nor this is
enough on its own to be a part of a Contrada. Enrolling oneself (to become patron, Protettore)
consists to pay an annual amount (different for each Contrada and diversified even within
one single Contrada according to the degree of Protettorato) to help and feeling
close to the Contrada itself. The Protettore generally acquires the right to be
kept informed about the Contrada activities and to receive the newsletter, besides the
fact to feel a part of it.
Is it true that in
Siena there are continual brawls and fistfights?
No, they are not as frequent as one
would hear. One or two episodes occur each Palio, but often they are very animated
discussions and nothing more. We don't believe one can generalize and, by the way, coming
to blows is regulated by an unwritten code of honour that, for example, does not agree to
use anything else but hands and legs. Also fighting is always discouraged by the leaders
of the involved Contradas who intervene to calm everyone down.
Why everybody seems to sing the same
song, just changing the words?
The greater part of the sungs of
incitement and exaltation for one's own Contrada, or mockery for the rival, actually are
developped over the same melody. Nobody definitely knows its origin nor the period it was
crreated. Probably (because we don't know which one was born first) it comes from the Verbena
anthem which, outside the Palio, unites all Sienese in the pride to be a part of this
town, almost a sort of national hymn. The are the words:
Nella Piazza del Campo / Ci nasce la Verbena
Viva la nostra Siena / Viva la nostra... SIENA!
Nella Piazza del Campo / Ci nasce la Verbena
Viva la nostra Siena / La pił bella delle cittą!!!
(In the Piazza del Campo / the verbena grows up
Hurray for our Siena... the most beautiful of all towns)
Can anyone join a Contrada?
Yes, as external patron: you can
pay a membership fee and join. But to really become part of a Contrada, either you have
born inside it, or you grow up inside it... or you spend time there and eventually you are
accepted and integrated into it. And this, money cannot buy.