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      Italy: Horses receive blessing ahead of medieval spectacle00:40

      Italy: Horses receive blessing ahead of medieval spectacle

      Italy, Siena
      Light news
      July 2, 2014 at 05:01 GMT +00:00 · Published

      Catholic priests blessed ten horses in the town of Siena on Wednesday, in the run-up to the ancient tradition of the Palio di Siena horse race taking place on the same day.

      Originating in 1656, the 'Il Palio', or 'tournament' is held twice a year - July 2 and August 16 - with Wednesday's event paying homage to the 'Palio di Provenzano', or the locally-worshipped manifestation of the Madonna, who has a church in the Tuscan town.

      The horses taking part in the race are of mixed breed, with no purebred horses permitted. With a predominant theme and custom to show all that is medieval, horse-riders at the event are said to compete with much pomp, ceremony and shows of masculinity.

      Italy: Horses receive blessing ahead of medieval spectacle00:40
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      Catholic priests blessed ten horses in the town of Siena on Wednesday, in the run-up to the ancient tradition of the Palio di Siena horse race taking place on the same day.

      Originating in 1656, the 'Il Palio', or 'tournament' is held twice a year - July 2 and August 16 - with Wednesday's event paying homage to the 'Palio di Provenzano', or the locally-worshipped manifestation of the Madonna, who has a church in the Tuscan town.

      The horses taking part in the race are of mixed breed, with no purebred horses permitted. With a predominant theme and custom to show all that is medieval, horse-riders at the event are said to compete with much pomp, ceremony and shows of masculinity.

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