Monday, June 3, 2013

Pallio degli Zoccoli 2013



May 2013 006, originally uploaded by Chiara and James Hemsley.
We just started the season of the Pallio degli Zoccoli here in Desio. It's a big event wherein the whole city is divided into 11 "contradas" (quarters?) and each contrada has its own flag. Each contrada sends a team of two runners to the pallio, which will take place on June 9. The pallio is a race in which the runners will wear wooden shoes (zoccoli). This is to commemorate the victory of a battle that took place in Desio in 1277. When the winners of the battle rode into town, the citizens of Desio stomped their wooden-shoe-clad feet loudly to show their support. There will be lots of events all week, including a parade in which people from each contrada dress in medieval dress and march through town. Last night, we heard singing and praying, and we looked out our window and saw a long procession of priests, nuns, and laypeople walking through town. We also saw the flag-bearers of the 11 contradas go by. All this to say that here's Norah standing by our contrada's flag, the pink and white one. We are in contrada "Piazza."

1 comment:

Sandra said...

My house was/is in Contrada Prati