Fonte della contrada dell'Onda - Siena - Tuscany

The street fountain Contrada Capitana dell'Onda which is shaped like a fish is located in Via di Fontanella

In Siena there are 17 Contradas (neighborhoods). Each contrada has its church and its fountain in which people are baptized. This is the baptismal fountain of the contrada 'Onda'. The symbol for the contrada is a dolphin as seen here in the fountain.

The distinctiveness of Siena is mainly due to the contrade , the 17 urban areas that were created during the Middle Ages. These neighborhoods still symbolize the Sienese sense of togetherness: each community has its own flag, fountain and font, as well as its own motto, museum and church. Plaques on the walls show which contrada you belong to, ranging from a Wolf to Owl, Unicorn, Centipede or Goose. Baptisms and deaths are all held together, while a traditional Sienese marries only within his or her contrada . The power of the contrade can be felt during the Palio horse race, which is the passion of the entire population. Every district is shouting its rider to victory. To learn more about this secret world, you can book a contrad e-tour around the individual museums, churches and stables.

Willem Vandenameele