CONTRADA OF THE SNAIL - FROM THE PAST

The first mention of the Contrada of the Snail was in a game of Pugna in 15th century. Long practiced by the people of Siena, despite legal prohibitions, Pugna was a violent boxing match- no holds barred-between two teams, usually held in the Piazza del Campo.
In the 17th century the Snail annexed the Contrada della Quercia’ s territory. Ever since 1407 the Republic of Siena had accorded full rights of intra-moenia citizenship to the contrada della Quercia’s inhabitants, in recognition of services rendered during times of war. In1656, the Snail erected an oratory dedicated to the Madonna of the Rosary and in July 1722 the Contrada members dedicated the winnings of the Palio (a silver basin worth 60 thelers) to the restoration of the church started in 1725.
The Snail’s traditional adversary is the Contrada of the Tartuca, which broke a centuries-old alliance with its neighbouring Contrada following the 16 August 1814 Palio.

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