The Contrada Capitana dell'Onda occupies the streets along Via Giovanni Duprè, in the Terzo di Città. Its emblem is a crowned dolphin swimming in azure waves, documented from 1494. Its motto is Il colore del cielo, la forza del mare — "the colour of the sky, the strength of the sea" — and its colours are white and sky blue. The district's traditional trade was woodworking (legnaioli).
The captain's title
The Onda alone carries the title Capitana: in the 14th century its armigers were charged with guarding Siena's Palazzo Pubblico, and the contrada's companies were also tasked with garrisoning the Republic's Tyrrhenian coast, whose chief port was Talamone.
Patron and feast
The contrada's titolare is the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Visitazione di Maria Santissima). Liturgical feast: 2 July. Festa Titolare: the fourth Sunday of June. Annual programme: published each year. The contrada's church is San Giuseppe dei Legnaioli, the oratory of the woodworkers.
Museum and what to see
The MOnd – Museo Ondaiolo, on Via Giovanni Duprè, holds the contrada's collections. The sculptor Giovanni Duprè was of the Onda, and the contrada's società and theatre bear his name. Visits are available by reservation or during announced special openings.
Practical information
Terzo — Città. Church — San Giuseppe dei Legnaioli. Società — Giovanni Duprè. Rival — the Torre (this enmity is not reciprocated by the Torre). Official site — contradacapitanadellonda.com.