Back in Bagno a Ripoli on Sunday September 8 is the Giostra della Stella, the tournament played by four knights, each representing a district; the competition field is located in a large public garden, named I Ponti.
The giostra della stella consists of stabbing with a spear, at full gallop, the central hole of a star supported by a rampant lion. Racing requires quick reflexes and a fast mount; furthermore, the level of difficulty increases as the hole in the star decreases in diameter.
In the middle of the track, where the jousting takes place, is where the district members who took part in the parade in Renaissance costumes stop by, accompanied by musicians and flag-wavers of the Palio and the guest Historical Groups.
The Palio also consists of afternoon competitions in which the four districts compete for points with the tug-of-war, the race with the egg, the sack race, the hoop race and the barrow race.
On the previous Thursday, September 5, at 10pm the official tournament rehearsals will be held, where the jockeys and horses to be assigned to each district will be drawn.
In case of bad weather the event will be postponed to the following Sunday.
Palio delle contrade race and Giostra della Stella jousting
