Piazza del Campo is still used for the “Palio”, which is one of the most famous and popular Italian manifestations.

It takes place every year on July 2 ^nd  and August 16 ^th.
The Palio is a historical secular tradition connected with the origin of the Contrada of Siena (districts into which the city is divided).
The districts, which have appeared for the first half of the 15th, have their own emblem, the name, emblems and colors, festivals, patron saints, and delimited territories.
Originally Contrade were fifty-nine, now only seventeen remain, ten of which take part in the parade and the race at each Palio.
Each district has a standard-bearer will be the protagonist of "Game of Flags."
In the early afternoon, just before the Palio, in each Contrada church there is the blessing of horses and riders.
Piazza del Campo, during the famous race is transformed: covered by a thick layer of soil and tuff from a row of mattresses placed against the wall in the dangerous corner of San Martino.
When at last the horses appear, the competition begins: the jockeys and their horses running around the square three times, and the first to arrive was proclaimed winner.
The winner of the district celebrate the happy event for a long time.