Palio di Siena Postponed to Monday Due to Rain

The prestigious Palio di Siena horse race, a centuries-old tradition in Italy, has been postponed from Sunday, July 16, to Monday, July 17, due to persistent heavy rain. The decision was signaled by the hoisting of a green flag, indicating the cancellation of the event planned for sunset.

Heavy downpours in the Piazza del Campo and on the dirt track made conditions impossible for both the historical procession and the race itself. This marks the second year in a row that the July Palio has faced a weather-related delay, mirroring a postponement that occurred on July 2 last year. Similar delays due to rain have affected recent editions, including August 16, 2024, and July 2, 2024, with one edition even being pushed back by two days. The August 16, 2022, race was also postponed.

The primary reason for these postponements is consistently the risk posed by rain to the track's integrity. Heavy showers can compromise the stability of the packed dirt in the Piazza del Campo, creating dangerous conditions for both horses and jockeys.

The full program, including the historical procession and the race, is scheduled to be replicated on Monday, July 17, provided the weather cooperates. Timings have been adjusted, with cannon shots signaling the start of events throughout the afternoon, culminating in the horses' entry into the Piazza del Campo for the Palio around 7 p.m. Public access to the central area of the Piazza will be permitted between 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. via Via Dupré, subject to capacity.