Photographer: Iacopo I.
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The 11th edition of the “Palio dei ciui” has been raced the 2nd of June 2010 in Santa Maria a Monte a town in the countyside of Pisa in the heart of Tuscany. Since 1999 this fantastic donkey-race has been organized at the beginning of June as an happy ending of a popular fest of one week full of entertainment events with an area dedicated to a small market and stands for teasting local wine, foods and olive oil.
The event is a donkey-race competition where the riders (without any riding experience) are representative of the eight contrade (districts) within the Santa Maria a Monte town. During the first two qualification manches composed of four donkeys each the riders have to complete a two laps race around the town football stadium. The firsts two donkeys are qualified for the final match. The contrada whose donkey first passes the finish line after a three laps race during the final match will win of the Palio’s edition.
Every year this unusual competion represents a very attractive event for a lot of people caming from all over the Tuscany and abroad. Year after year the supporters of each contrada bacame more coreographic, increasing the folklore around the show. Tumblig down, donkey running alone followed by the riders and any kind of inconveniences create a very funny atmosphere that makes this show a must to see in town.
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OTHER RANDOM GALLERIES | ||
Abbey of Montecassino Photographer: Iacopo I. Four times in its history the Abbey of Montecassino has been near to be ereased from the maps since the foundation dated 529. The sacredness of the place was able to overcome internal wars, invasions Saracen, earthquakes and bombardaments. The actual shape is a faithful copy the previous one. The postwar reconstruction has preserved the original solemnity as to try to forget the ally bombing of the February 1944. |
Travel mates – Lights and shadows Photographer: Iacopo I. The travel mates are like your footsteps’ shadows on the road across the world. They are with you everywhere, they must be, sometimes they are behind you, invisible. Sometimes they are in front of you more real than anything else. |
Mantis religiosa Photographer: Iacopo I. The Mantis Religiosa is an insect of the order Mantodea widespread in Europe. This specie is well known due to its characteristic position, and it’s commonly known as the Praying Mantis. |