The "Tufo" arrives! ONE WEEK today to PALIO...

It was all happening on the Campo today, as the race course was covered with a thick layer of  "tufo", the earth on which the city is built, to make the cobbles horse friendly. Here it is applied to  the notorious San Martino bend, which is the most dangerous- the corner most likely to cause a pile up. It is lined with mattresses, (hidden under the white areas) to soften the impact of any potential blow...

 The city was out in force this morning, here with the Mayor De Mossi (white T-shirt above|) surveying the progress.                                                              

Nevertheless, proceedings still went on as if it were a normal Saturday, with a smart wedding spilling out from the Palazzo Pubblico, complete with Carabienieri in historic outfits...