Originally
founded by the men of the compagnia di San Virgilio and San Pietro
in Banchi, the contrada of the Owl later took in the citizens of the
San Cristoforo quarter, who had gathered at the bull hunts of the
early 16th century under a banner depicting a bear. At the close of
the 17th century, the parish priest permitted the contrada to use
the church of St. Peter in Banchi for its religious services. The
old building in Via Banchi di Sotto had been constructed on the
foundations of an ancient temple of Jove. The church received little
light from its small windows, and for this reason it was called St.
Peter Buio, or the dark. In 1699, the Owl won the July Palio and
donated the victory banner to the church. Another victory in July
1727 favored by the propitious release of an owl in Piazza del Campo
before the start of the horse race. In 1761 when the contrada won
both the Palio of July and that of August, thus accomplishing for
the first time in palio history what is locally known as “cappotto”.
In 1788 the Owl was forced to abandon St Peter Buio when the church
was deconsecrated and sold to private owners. At the close of the
19th century, all the priors of the contrade were called to a number
of meetings for the preservation of Sienese customs and they were
hosted by the contrada of the Owl. For this courtesy, the contrada
was honored with the title of “Prior”, which it holds to this day.
Originally
founded by the men of the compagnia di San Virgilio and San Pietro
in Banchi, the contrada of the Owl later took in the citizens of the
San Cristoforo quarter, who had gathered at the bull hunts of the
early 16th century under a banner depicting a bear. At the close of
the 17th century, the parish priest permitted the contrada to use
the church of St. Peter in Banchi for its religious services. The
old building in Via Banchi di Sotto had been constructed on the
foundations of an ancient temple of Jove. The church received little
light from its small windows, and for this reason it was called St.
Peter Buio, or the dark. In 1699, the Owl won the July Palio and
donated the victory banner to the church. Another victory in July
1727 favored by the propitious release of an owl in Piazza del Campo
before the start of the horse race. In 1761 when the contrada won
both the Palio of July and that of August, thus accomplishing for
the first time in palio history what is locally known as “cappotto”.
In 1788 the Owl was forced to abandon St Peter Buio when the church
was deconsecrated and sold to private owners. At the close of the
19th century, all the priors of the contrade were called to a number
of meetings for the preservation of Sienese customs and they were
hosted by the contrada of the Owl. For this courtesy, the contrada
was honored with the title of “Prior”, which it holds to this day.