The festivals of the Sienese contrada (districts): what are they are and how to take part in a “festa titolare”
A “festa titolare” festival for each contrada
The districts are known primarily as competitors of the Palio of Siena, the event in which they compete against each other. Not everyone, however, is familiar with the traditions and folklore that accompany one of the most important festivals for those who belong to the historic subdivisions of the city of Siena: the “festa titolare”. Each contrada, as well as having its own flag, a well-defined territory and an internal organisation governed by a statute, venerates its own Patron Saint, which is celebrated every year with the festa titolare. Typically, if the Patron Saint’s day falls on a weekday, the contrada organises the celebrations for the following Sunday. The festivals of the 17 contrade of Siena take place between April and September, making it quite likely that you will come across one of them, if you choose to visit Siena between spring and summer.
“Festa titolare”: celebrations and events
Celebrations begin solemnly, in the district’s Church, which is decorated and lit up for the occasion. The inhabitants of this district, guests of the neighbouring districts, and visitors all gather for Matins on the eve of the festival, followed by a party that kicks off the festival. The streets of the district, decorated with lights, banners and the contrada’s flags, host food stands and banquets, with music and games, also for the children. The most typical festivities take place, however, on the Sunday, when the ‘tour’ takes place. This is the ‘comparsa’, or ‘appearance’ parade, featuring flag-bearers and drummers in costume. The comparsa leaves the district in the early hours of the morning and walks the streets of the city, paying homage to the other districts. In the evening, the procession reaches piazza del Campo, a territory which does not belong to any of the districts, and then returns triumphant to their district, accompanied by a band. Normally, during the festa titolare the peculiar ritual of the “Baptism of the district” takes place. During the ceremony the Prior, the highest authority of the contrada, baptises the new would-be inhabitants of the contrada with water from a fountain in the district. Flag-bearers and drummers participate in the rite, wearing the traditional costume of their own contrada.
How to participate in a “festa titolare”
Most of the celebrations and events which take place during a festa titolare are free and open to the public, with the exception of dinners aimed mainly at the inhabitants of the district, and that require the purchase of a membership card. The contrada, which organises its own festa titolare, displays posters with the program of the event, which can last longer than a weekend. Alternatively it is published in newspapers and on websites. Considering that the festivities on the eve of the festival, in particular, usually last until late at night, one of the most practical ways to attend a “festa titolare” is to book a nearby hotel. Hotel Italia is 300 metres from Porta Camollia, not far from the Contrada dell’Istrice, which celebrates its festa titolare around 24th August. The Relais degli Angeli is situated between the Drago and Lupa districts, which celebrate their festivals on the last Sunday in May and on 16th August respectively.