The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1928-11-23

prepared by the National Geographic
| Society. Washington. d. CO.
THERE are few places In the
world where one may lay /
Il hand so palpably on the Mid
| die ages as in Siena, Italy
/ when it is celebrating it's great an
nual civic festival, the PABLO. This
is a pageant inherited from the Mid
die ages, still held in costume of that
period, and featured by the running
of strange, almost barbaric, horse
race on the historic Campo, or great
square.
For upward of four hundred years
the little Tuscan city has been or
ganized as it is now, in cOntrade, or
wards, each a distinct and separate
entity, though part of the common
life. Each stin clings to its own in
dividual traditions, it's own loves and
/ hates, and is ready to rally to the
ished for centuries.
This gives to Siena characteristic
atmosphere, which more than any,
| thing, save its art, has contributed
to center upon it the continued inter
est of the traveller.
| As to the PABLO, it is remarkable
manifestation of that keen, burning
! rivalry among cOntades which has eX-
listed since their inception and which
time and the passing of events have
been unable to allay.
In seeking the origin of this strange
horse race we must go back to the
zest for sport, the spirit of gallant
contest, and the love for pomp and
display so prevalent in the Middle
ages.
Regular Event Since 1851.
The first PABLO took place on the
Campo in 1905 and has been regular
ly scheduled since 1861. In its pres
ent form, with all the contrade rep
resented, and the distance established
at three times around the big square
the race has been held since 1856.
| 1t has been established almost be
yond doubt that the PABLO was intro
duced to celebrate a religious ami
versary, the feast of Santa Maria AS.
| the banner bestowed upon the win.
J ner.
At one time Siena's II contrade all
participated in the PABLO, each enter.
ing one horse, but, owing to the fire.
quency of serious accidents, expert
enced through the OvercrOwding of
the narrow track, the number of con.
testants is now limited to ten. Seven
of the contrade are privileged and
run by fright" as they express 1T.
while the three others are drawn by
lot.
The horsemen ride bareback in the
| PABLO, armed with a furnishing whip,
the nerbo, made of twisted, hardened
OK sinew and measuring about three
feet. This whip plays an important
role. In the olden days long, iex
ible one was used, and the competi
tors were allowed to WELD it so as
! to entangle their opponents and
throw them; but this practice is now
| forbidden. &
The good Sienese, however, anxious
to preserve the joustlike character of
the race, have decreed that their
champions may belabor one another
with the heavy nerbo whenever the
chance presents. To prevent fatal in,
jury, the men are permitted TO wear
| metal helmets; but, even So the day,
| ing weapons sometimes inflict wounds
| the marks of which are carried for
weeks.
Three days before the meet. some
20 horses, voluntarily contributed by
private individuals, are brought to
gether and tried out. The ten frost
evenly matched are selected and on
| the eve of the race the ward rap
| tains gather at the Palazzo and draw
lots for them.
Nee All Go to Mass First
At last the great day dawns and
the imperative summons of sOnorou-
bell tells us it is time to be stirring
The hour is only five, but the city
| is already In turmoil, as we sail,
| forth under the cloudless sky. f.
The streets are packed from wall
| TO waH, and following the streaming
| populace. we are led to the votive
| chapel on the PiaZzO, shrine erect
ed in thanksgiving for deliverance
from the plague Of 134S.
| MASS is heing celebrated and the
little church Is crowded with men.