CONTRADA OF THE UNICORN - FROM THE PAST

Originally comprising the quarter represented by the military companies of San Giorgio and Pantaneto, the Contrada of the Leocorno ( The Unicorn ) was for centuries membered by the nobility and families of great wealth. The Unicorn limited its participation in the parades by the city and by its sister contrade because of the greatly diminished numbers of people living in its districts.
Because its members failed to participate in the solemn occasion of the arrival in Siena of the Princess Violante of Bavaria in 1717, the government barred the Unicorn from taking part in the races and “ displaying its colors” for ten years. Re-admitted to the competition before the penalty term had run out, the Unicorn did not manage to win a palio until 1776.
Finally, an agreement was drawn up in 1966 with the Sienese Curia , affording the Unicorn perpetual use of the church of St. John the Baptist in Pantaneto. Records regarding the church and the Porta di Follonica so-called because it led to a fountain used by the local “Fullones”, or dyers and launderers.
In his historical seat the Unicorn holds, among other things, a little bell called "Martinella", perhaps belonged to "Carroccio Fiorentino", caught during the Montaperti battles (1260). 

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