Siena is one of Italy’s most beautiful towns. Image: Don PinnockThere is a particularly pleasing shape to, which is the heart of Siena’s cultural life. From above it looks like a giant shell, with channels built in the 13th century to conduit rainwater at a place where the three hills on which the city is built meet.
Strolling through the streets, we would suddenly be confronted by a gaudily blanketed horse followed by dozens of singingmembers, or men in medieval costumes, flags flying and singing themselves loudly down a narrow street. Eachhas its own piazza, club house and chapel. On one occasion, we were unable to enter our hotel for about an hour because aThe rules of the race are anarchic.bid and bargain for horses which are loaned for the event.
On one corner a horse and rider crashed into the barrier and went flying, on the second lap another rider fell off and was trampled. He was dragged off senseless, his heels bouncing. Both people and horses have been killed in the past, a sore point with animal rights activists.The front runners vying for glory. Image: Don Pinnock
It is cruel and totally unnecessary!