The Palio of the Donkeys in Torrita di Siena was born in 1966 to dedicate an event to Saint Joseph, the patron saint of carpenters, as woodworking was one of the most widespread trades in  town.

Over the years, what initially was just a donkey race has become an event that offers the residents of Torrita and all participants an entire week of events, including historical reenactments and appointments with local food and wine. Since 2014, the Palio dei Somari has been included among the historical reenactment events in the Tuscany region.

For the Palio dei Somari, the territory of Torrita di Siena is divided into eight Contrade. Four of these are located within the historical center, each coinciding with one of the ancient gates to the medieval village. These are Porta a Pago, Porta a Sole, Porta Gavina, and Porta Nova. The other four correspond to areas outside the city walls, extending to the neighboring municipalities of Torrita di Siena, and are Cavone, Le Fonti, Refenero, and Stazione. Each Contrada has its emblem and is represented by its characteristic colors.

The participants of each Contrada parade through the streets of the historical center, creating a journey back in time to an era inhabited by soldiers, lords, and ladies, still vivid within the walls of the village.

The historical procession, consisting of more than 200 participants, characterizes the entire event and is a source of pride for the people of Torrita and the Contrade, due to the meticulous attention to detail in the parade costumes. The precision used in the creation of the costumes is also reflected in the posture of the participants. The Contrada that stands out the most for this aspect is awarded a prize in each edition, called "Sfoggiato," similar to the recognition given in the past to finely crafted wooden works, well-displayed.

The race takes place in the afternoon of the first Sunday after March 19, unless that day coincides with a Sunday, at the Gioco del Pallone. Spectators, mainly Torritese residents and supporters of the Contrade, gather on the stands around the racecourse. Eight donkeys, assigned to the Contrade by draw, are ridden by their respective jockeys. The stubborn and unpredictable nature of the donkeys makes every prediction futile, and the tension remains high until the end of the race when the first donkey completes the four laps necessary to win the Palio, a coveted painted banner. The Palio is immediately entrusted to the winning Contrada and paraded triumphantly throughout the town.

For more details on the Palio dei Somari in Torrita di Siena, you can visit the website https://www.paliodeisomari.it/

For those interested in participating in this event or visiting Torrita di Siena during the period of the Palio dei Somari, here are some suggestions for accommodation in Torrita di Siena and its surroundings: https://www.eurocasa.com/en/toscana/siena-and-valdorcia/