The Contrada (Neighborhood Identity)

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Many of the Tuscan hill towns were divided into “contrade” or neighborhoods which competed against each other in annual town games – none better known than the Siena’s world famous Palio.
Siena is divided into 17 Contrade: Aquila (eagle), Bruco (caterpillar), Chiocciola (snail), Civetta (little owl), Drago (dragon), Giraffa (giraffe), Istrice (porcupine), Leocorno (unicorn), Lupa (she-wolf), Nicchio (seashell), Oca (goose), Onda (wave), Pantera (panther), Selva (forrest), Tartuca (tortoise), Torre (tower) and Valdimontone (Valley of the Ram).

Originally contrade (plural) served a military and administrative purpose, and quite often each contrada was dominated by one or two types of professions. Each contrada has their own symbol, flag, band and flag group, not to mention their own baptismal font; and each contrada also has their own museum, fountain and headquarters where members come to talk, for social events (movie nights or bingo), community gatherings and fundraisers throughout the year. Today the contrade serve mainly as a source of civic pride and socialization, but it also gives forth to rivalry. Each of the contrade have their allies (except for Oca) and a principal rival..

Contrada is determined by place of birth, and you maintain your original contrada despite marriage or moves to new homes.

Eto soobshcheniye takzhe dostupna v: Английский Итальянский Французский Испанский Немецкий Португальский, Португалия