The Palio of Siena: a bareback horse race around a square in a medieval town in Tuscany, Italy

The Palio of Siena: a bareback horse race around a square in the medieval Tuscan town.

Jockeys compete in the Palio race in Siena
Thousands of spectators gathered in the Tuscan town of Siena for a bareback horse race through the main square. Twice a year, almost without fail since the mid-1600s, the Palio di Siena has been held in the Piazza del Campo in the centre of the medieval town Credit: AFP/GETTY
Jockey of Tartuca parish Luigi Trecciolino leads the pack of horses to win the Palio race in Siena
Monday's race, the second of 2010, saw the usual ten of the seventeen 'contrade' or medieval districts that constitute Siena represented, all vying to compete for the Palio, a coveted silk banner Credit: REUTERS
Luigi Bruschelli  leads the pack around the Piazza del Campo
Although the race rarely lasts longer than ninety seconds, it is the most anticipated event in Tuscany's sporting calender, a fact which is reflected in the fierce passion and pride of the spectators from the rival contrade Credit: AFP/GETTY
The horse ridden by Alberto Ricceri of the Selva parish loses its balance
The horse ridden by Alberto Ricceri of the Selva parish loses its balance Credit: REUTERS
Alberto Ricceri falls during the Palio
The Palio in Sienna. Italian banks are riding for a fall Credit: REUTERS
Alberto Ricceri is helped after falling off his horse during the Palio
Alberto Ricceri is helped after falling off his horse Credit: REUTERS
Luigi Trecciolino, jockey of Tartuca parish, leads the pack of horses
Luigi Trecciolino, jockey of Tartuca parish, leads the pack of horses Credit: REUTERS
Luigi Bruschelli rides to victory on his horse Istriceddu
Luigi Bruschelli rides to victory on his horse Istriceddu Credit: AFP/GETTY
Istriceddu is silhouetted after he and his rider won the Palio
Istriceddu is silhouetted after he and his rider won the Palio Credit: AFP/GETTY
Luigi Bruschelli, nicknamed 'Trecciolino', is hoisted onto the shoulders of members of the Tartuca  parish after winning the Palio
Luigi Bruschelli, nicknamed "Trecciolino", is hoisted onto the shoulders of members of the Tartuca parish after winning the Palio Credit: AFP/GETTY
Sting and his wife Trudie Styler watch the Palio race
Sting and his wife Trudie Styler watch the action Credit: REUTERS
Firefighters secure the Tolomei square where Alain Enfaux, 77, from Avignon, died during a traditional dinner when a block of stone fell down from the balcony of a palace
A French official in town for the famed Palio bareback horse race was killed by a falling stone during a dinner. The victim was 76-year-old Alain Emphoux, a city council member from the French city of Avignon, Siena's sister city. He was killed when a support stone fell from a balcony into the piazza below during an open-air dinner where the Avignon delegation were guests of honour Credit: AFP/GETTY
An aerial view taken from a military helicopter shows the town of Siena and the main square or Il Campo
An aerial view taken from a military helicopter shows the town of Siena with people gathered in the main square or Piazza del Campo Credit: AFP/GETTY
Crowds gather in the square to watch the race
Crowds gather in the square to watch the race Credit: AFP/GETTY
Spectators packed into the square crane to get a better view of the race
Spectators packed into the square crane to get a better view of the race Credit: AFP/GETTY
A Jockey from Montone parish rides his horse during a training session
A Jockey from Montone parish rides his horse during a training session Credit: REUTERS
Horses' hooves thunder around the main square during a  training race
Horses' hooves thunder around the main square during a training race Credit: AFP/GETTY
Horses start the fourth  training race prior to the Palio
Horses start the fourth training race prior to the Palio Credit: AFP/GETTY
A horse and his rider arrive in St. Caterina sanctuary to receive a blessing by the priest as protection for the Palio horse race
A horse and his rider arrive in St. Caterina sanctuary to receive a blessing by the priest as protection for the Palio horse race Credit: AFP/GETTY