SOVEREIGN CONTRADA OF THE PORCUPINE -
FROM THE PAST
On
1 March 1494 in a rousing game of Pugna noted the presence of the
Camollia team, among the ranks of Sienese youths who took part. But
the palio “alla tonda“ had by then gained in popularity as Siena’s
main festivity, and on 16 August 1689 some members of the Porcupine
sponsored a palio in Piazza del Campo: ”fifteen contrade took part
in this, each supplying its own horse” and they contended a silver
basin worth fifty thalers offered to the winner.
At the start of 18th century the Porcupine’s members moved to the
church of Fontegiusta , to which they donated all the banners the
Contrada had won in the palii. But when the bishop’s see offered use
of the church of St. Bartholomeus of Castellaccia to the Contrada in
1733, the Porcupine immediately asked for the restitution of its
banners. The brotherhood met and decided that” since they are things
of little moment and in the long run they will turn into dust, we
are of a mind to return them.”
In 1980, the Sovereign Military Order of Malta conferred on the
Porcupine the title of “Sovereign” Contrada and the privilege of
adding to its coat of arms the order’s white octagonal cross on a
red field.
On
1 March 1494 in a rousing game of Pugna noted the presence of the
Camollia team, among the ranks of Sienese youths who took part. But
the palio “alla tonda“ had by then gained in popularity as Siena’s
main festivity, and on 16 August 1689 some members of the Porcupine
sponsored a palio in Piazza del Campo: ”fifteen contrade took part
in this, each supplying its own horse” and they contended a silver
basin worth fifty thalers offered to the winner.