THE SEVENTEEN CONTRADE · Terzo di Camollia

The Contrada del Drago

The dragon of the Terzo di Camollia, on the slopes below San Domenico.

The Contrada del Drago occupies the ground around Piazza Matteotti, Camporegio and the Basilica of San Domenico, in the Terzo di Camollia. Its emblem is a green crowned dragon carrying an azure pennant marked with the gold cipher of Umberto I. Its colours are antique rose and green with yellow. The dragon may derive from the arms of the Benincasa family — the family of St Catherine of Siena, who is also the contrada's patron.

Identity

Rather than a single craft guild, the Drago's identity is bound to its territory and its military-company origins. Its società is the Società di Camporegio, on Via di Camporegio.

Patron and feast

The contrada's titolare is St Catherine of Siena (Santa Caterina da Siena). Liturgical feast: 29 April. Festa Titolare: the last Sunday of May. Annual programme: published each year. The contrada's church is the Oratorio di Santa Caterina del Paradiso.

Museum and what to see

The Museo della Contrada del Drago preserves the contrada's Palio history, costumes and sacred furnishings. Visits are available by reservation or during announced special openings.

Practical information

Terzo — Camollia. Church — Oratorio di Santa Caterina del Paradiso. Società — Società di Camporegio (Via di Camporegio 1). Rival — none declared (allied with Aquila). Official site — contradadeldrago.it.

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