Palio dei Terzieri historic parade at Città della Pieve

On the Qantas safety talk they say that subtly each plane is a little different, well, subtly each historic parade is a little different. We think that the Città della Pieve parade is the best because of the quality and authenticity of the costumes and the 700 people participating maintain their character throughout the parade.

Subtly different? Last week we mentioned jugglers, this week the parade had falconry birds, lots of magnificent horses, archers and flame eaters.

Before the parade started I visited the Chianina cattle who pull a huge cart. You can visit each of the three districts and see their preparations and hear them singing. This is a good opportunity to look at the costumes too.

The parade begins! Having taken hundreds of photos at this parade in the past two years I tried to limit myself, but not very satisfactorily I fear. So much colour, how can I resist!

The third falconry person had a magnificent big owl but they were hidden by other people so I missed getting the photo.

The final part of the competition between the terzieri (three sections of the town) was an archery competition so archers feature in this parade.

At the end of the parade come the heavy weaponry for defending the city; cannons and catapults. 

As they draw near the piazza at the end of the route the battle begins ... with flour bombs!

You cannot believe the mess once the battle has finished. 

I was amused to see these soldiers in chainmail washing themselves in the fountain at the conclusion.