In 1937, the Franciscan Friars of Holy Name Province chose to put their new entity - a men's college just outside of Albany - under the patronage of St. Bernardine of Siena (Italy). The College's namesake city, where the Siena College patron saint so often preached, is an ancient town in the hills of Tuscany. To this day, it retains a neighborhood-centric culture reminiscent of medieval times. Siena is divided into 17 Contrade, unique wards named after an animal or a symbol of nature - all with their own colors and identity. The symbols of those 17 Italian Contrade now frame the Nigro Family plaza.
Each Contrade is like a guild or neighborhood with a community center for the members to gather. Each has a museum, fountain, baptismal font, and chapel. In the past, each specialized in a particular trade. St. Bernardine, for example, was associated with the Bruco (caterpillar). They were silk weavers. The flags of each Contrade have their own colors, name, and heritage. Siena College created its own flag and borrowed its colors, green and gold, from the Bruco. Siena's symbol is the dove.
There are always friendly competitions among the Contrade, the biggest of which is a horse race called the Palio, run twice a year in honor of Mary, the blessed virgin. The races are held on July 2 (celebrating the visitation of Mary) and August 16 (honoring the assumption of Mary). The race takes place in the campo - a "neutral zone" in the city - and several days of pageantry and festivals precede the event. The Palio was canceled this year due to the pandemic - it's the first time the races were called off since World War II.
The Palio flags of each Contrade now hang on the Siena campus. Find a description of each, below.
Caterpillar (Bruco) – Bruco is situated to the north of the Piazza del Campo, the main public space at the historic center of Siena. Traditionally, its residents worked in the silk trade. Bruco's symbol is a crowned caterpillar crawling on a rose. Its colors are green and yellow, trimmed with blue. Bruco is one of the four noble contrade; its title was earned in 1369 by its people's bravery in helping to defeat Charles IV. Its motto is "Come rivoluzion sona il mio nome" which translates to “As revolution sounds my name.” Bruco is allies with Crested Porcupine (Istrice), (Seashell) Nicchio, and Tower (Torre).
Crested Porcupine (Istrice) – Istrice occupies the north-westernmost edge of Siena and contains the San Vincenzo e Anastasio church, home of the city's oldest surviving fresco. Traditionally, its residents were blacksmiths. Istrice's symbol is a crowned porcupine. The contrada’s motto is “Sol per difesa io pungo” which means “I prick only for self-defense.” Its colors are white, red, blue, and black. Istrice’s allies are Caterpillar (Bruco), Snail (Chiocciola), Little Owl (Civetta), and Giraffe (Giraffa).
Dragon (Drago) – Drago is situated to the north-west of the Piazza del Campo, the main public space at the historic center of Siena. Traditionally, its residents were bankers. Drago's symbol is a flying golden dragon carrying a banner with the letter "U" for King Umberto, an Italian ruler in the late 19th century. Its colors are pink and green, trimmed with yellow. Drago’s ally is Eagle (Aquila).
Eagle (Aquila) – Aquila is situated to the south-west of the Piazza del Campo, the main public space at the historic center of Siena, and is home to the Duomo, a majestic cathedral protecting treasures by Michelangelo and Donatello. Traditionally, residents of Aquila were notaries. The Aquila symbol is a double-headed black eagle holding an orb, a sword, and a scepter. Its colors are yellow, trimmed with blue and black. Aquila is one of only four noble contrade. It’s allied with the Owl (Civetta) and Dragon (Drago) contrade.
Rhino (Selva) – Selva runs west from the Piazza del Campo, the main public space at the historic center of Siena. Traditionally, its residents were weavers, but when the contrade were mainly military, they had a reputation for being excellent archers. Selva's symbol is a rhinoceros at the base of an oak tree hung with hunting tools. Its colors are green and orange, bordered with white. Its allies are (Snail) Chiocciola and (Tortoise) Tartuca.
Giraffe (Giraffa) – Giraffa is an affluent area of the city situated to the north-east of the Piazza del Campo, the main public space at the historic center of the city. Traditionally, its residents were painters. Giraffa's symbol is a giraffe held on a leash by a Moor. Its colors are white and red. Giraffa has the title of imperial contrada, bestowed on it by King Vittorio Emanuele III in 1936. Its allies are Little Owl (Civetta), Crested Porcupine (Istrice), and Panther (Pantera).
Goose (Oca) – Oca is situated just to the west of the Piazza del Campo, the main public space at the historic center of Siena. Traditionally, its residents made dyes. Oca's symbol is a crowned goose wearing blue ribbon around its neck marked with the Cross of Savoy. Its colors are green and white, with red trim. Oca is one of only four noble contrade; it earned its title for its people's bravery during many battles fought by the former Sienese Republic. Oca has no allies among other Contrade.
Little Owl (Civetta) – Civetta is situated immediately to the north of the Piazza del Campo, the main public space at the historic center of Siena. Traditionally, its residents were shoemakers. Civetta's symbol is a crowned owl sitting on a branch. Its colors are red and black striped with white. The contrada’s motto is "Vedo nella Notte" which translates to “I see in the night.” Civetta’s allies are Eagle (Aquila), Giraffe (Giraffa), Porcupine (Istrice), and Panther (Pantera).
Panther (Pantera) – Pantera is situated at the western edge of Siena. The headquarters of the Museum of the Contrada of the Pantera are located on the San Quirico hill, at the highest point of the city. Traditionally, its residents were grocers and chemists. Pantera's symbol is a panther. Its colors are red, blue, and white. Pantera is allied with (Snail) Chiocciola, Owl (Civetta), Giraffe (Giraffa), and Porcupine (Istrice).
Scallop (Nicchio) – Nicchio is situated in the far eastern corner of Siena. Traditionally, its residents worked as potters. Nicchio's symbol is a crowned scallop shell flanked by two branches of coral. Its colors are blue, with yellow and red trim. Nicchio is one of only four noble contrade; it earned its title for bravery shown during the Battle of Montaperti in 1260. Nicchio’s allies are Caterpillar (Bruco), Wave (Onda), and Tortoise (Tartuca).
She-Wolf (Lupa) – Lupa is situated to the north of the Piazza del Campo, the main public space at the historic center of Siena. Traditionally, the residents of Lupa were bakers. Lupa's symbol is a mother wolf nursing twins. Its colors are black and white, trimmed with orange. The she-wolf of this contrada refers to the legend that Siena was founded by Senius and Aschius, the sons of Remus, who were raised by a wolf. Lupa has no allies among other Contrade.
Snail (Chiocciola) – Chiocciola is situated in the south-western corner of Siena. Traditionally, its residents worked as terracotta makers. Chiocciola’s symbol is a snail surrounded by roses. The contrada’s motto is “With slow and deliberate steps, snail takes the field to triumph.” The district’s patron saints are the apostles Peter and Paul with a feast day of June 29. Its colors are red and yellow, trimmed with blue. Its allies are Porcupine (Istrice), Panther (Pantera), and Forest (Selva).
Tortoise (Tartuca) – Tartuca is situated at the southern end of Siena. The area included in the contrada is the most ancient part of the city. Traditionally, its residents were sculptors. Tartuca's symbol is a tortoise on a golden field surrounded by daisies and Savoy knots. Its colors are yellow and deep blue. Tartuca has several allies: Unicorn (Leocorno), Seashell (Nicchio), Wave (Onda), and Forest (Selva).
Elephant (Torre) – Torre is situated just to the south-east of the Piazza del Campo, the main public space at the historic center of Siena. Torre encompasses Siena's Jewish quarter and synagogue. Traditionally, its residents worked as wool combers. Torre's symbol is an elephant with a tower on its back. Its colors are crimson, striped with white and blue. Torre’s lone ally contrada is Caterpillar (Bruco).
Unicorn (Leocorno) – Leocorno is situated to the east of the Piazza del Campo, the main public space at the historic center of Siena. Traditionally, its residents were goldsmiths. Leocorno's symbol is a unicorn with the motto "Humberti regio gratia" which translates to “A Kingdom by the grace of Umberto.” King Umberto ruled Italy in the late 19th century. The contrada’s colors are orange and white, bordered with blue. Leocorno’s allies are Panther (Pantera) and Tortoise (Tartuca).
Valley of the Ram (Valdimontone) – Valdimontone is situated in the south-east of the city near Porta Romana, one of the portals in the medieval walls of Siena constructed in 1328. Traditionally, its residents were tailors. Valdimontone’s symbol is a crowned ram, with a blue shield emblazoned with the letter “U” for King Umberto, an Italian ruler in the late 19th century. The contrada’s colors are red and yellow, with white trim. It is allied with Wave (Onda).
Dolphin (Onda) – Onda runs south from the Piazza del Campo, the main public space at the historic center of Siena. Traditionally, its residents were carpenters. The Onda symbol is a dolphin with the royal crown, swimming on blue waves, and its colors are white and sky blue. The Onda contrada describes itself as “The color of Heaven, the force of the sea.” They are aligned with Seashell (Nicchio), Tortoise (Tartuca), and (Valley of the Ram) Valdimontone.