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:
My house was/is in Contrada Prati
Post a Comment