Rione San Benedetto
One of the four rioni inside Ferrara's medieval walls competing in the Palio di Ferrara. The oldest Palio in the world, dating to 1259. Emblem features a diamond, echoing the Este 'diamante' motif. The Palio runs four races: girls, boys, donkeys, and horses.
Colours: White and azure; Territory: San Benedetto (inside walls); Documented from Medieval origins; modern Palio re-founded 1933. Lifelong neighborhood contrada membership with museum, oratory, and Palio (or local equivalent) as the public climax.
External page. Check current meetings, membership, and joining details directly with the group.
Other italian contrade & lifelong neighborhood teams
Noble contrada of Siena's Terzo di Città whose symbol is the double-headed imperial eagle. Members (aquilini) baptize newborns at the contrada fountain and race the Palio twice a year in Piazza del Campo.
Noble caterpillar contrada in the historic silk-weavers' quarter on Via del Comune. The 'Bruchi' were granted noble status for defeating Emperor Charles IV's forces in 1369.
Snail contrada of the southwestern San Marco quarter. Patron church Santi Pietro e Paolo serves as its oratory; members celebrate the titular feast each June.
The owl 'Priora' contrada centered on Piazza Tolomei. Its black-and-red flags fly over the historic shoemakers' quarter; rival to the Leocorno.
Dragon contrada of the Camporegio district around the basilica of San Domenico. Members (dragaioli) parade the green-and-pink colors in honor of their patron St. Catherine of Siena.
Imperial contrada of Siena, whose red-and-white flags wave through the Via del Moro area. The 'giraffini' are tied to the historic painters' guild.