The Nobile Contrada dell'Aquila occupies the ground most visitors cross without knowing it: the streets around Via di Città and the Piazza del Campo, running up towards the Cathedral. Its emblem is a black double-headed eagle, crowned and bearing a sceptre, a sword and an imperial orb, charged on its breast with a radiant sun bearing the cipher of Umberto I — an imperial iconography that reflects the contrada's standing among the seventeen.
Title and identity
The Aquila carries the honorific Nobile, a distinction recorded from 24 April 1536. It belongs to the Terzo di Città, the south-western third of the historic centre. Its colours are yellow with blue and black.
Patron and feast
The contrada's titolare is the Holy Name of Mary (Santissimo Nome di Maria). Liturgical feast: 12 September. Festa Titolare: celebrated on the Sunday following the feast. Annual programme: published each year by the contrada. The contrada's church is the Oratorio di San Giovanni Battista (formerly dei Tredicini), on Via del Casato.
Museum and what to see
The Museo della Nobile Contrada dell'Aquila holds the contrada's drappelloni, monture (Palio costumes), flags and sacred furnishings. As with the contrada museums generally, visits are available by reservation or during announced special openings rather than fixed public hours.
Practical information
Terzo — Città. Church — Oratorio di San Giovanni Battista (Via del Casato). Museum — by reservation / special openings. Official site — contradadellaquila.com.