THE SEVENTEEN CONTRADE · Terzo di San Martino

The Contrada del Leocorno

The unicorn of the Terzo di San Martino, along Pantaneto toward Follonica.

The Contrada del Leocorno occupies the streets around Pantaneto and Follonica, in the Terzo di San Martino. Its emblem is a rampant unicorn on a grassy base within a blue border carrying the motto in gold: Fiede e risana al par l'arma ch'ho in fronte — "it wounds and heals with the same weapon I bear upon my forehead". Its colours are white and orange bordered with blue.

Identity

The Leocorno lies in the Terzo di San Martino; its società is the Società 'Il Cavallino', and its rival is the Civetta.

Patron and feast

The contrada's titolare is St John the Baptist (San Giovanni Battista). Liturgical feast: 24 June. Festa Titolare: held in June. Annual programme: published each year. The contrada's church is the Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista della Staffa — San Giovannino della Staffa — to which the contrada's modern life returned in 1970.

Museum and what to see

The Museo della Contrada del Leocorno, at Piazzetta Virgilio Grassi 6 (with access from Via di Follonica 31), holds the contrada's victorious palii, Masgalani, monture and sacred furnishings, together with a Madonna della Pace attributed to Francesco di Balduccio and a narwhal tooth; its artistic heritage passed to the contrada from the Congregazione degli Artisti. Visits are available by reservation or during announced special openings.

Practical information

Terzo — San Martino. Church — San Giovannino della Staffa. Società — 'Il Cavallino'. Rival — Civetta. Official site — contradaleocorno.it.

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