Museum

The Oratory of the Contrada del Drago, formerly the Church of Saint Catherine, was built around 1620 and belonged to the Convent of the Monache del Paradiso (Nuns of Paradise); it passed to the Contrada by Grand Ducal decree in 1787. The present steps bear witness to the different height of the ground where the ancient meadow in front of the Church once extended: the Poggio Malavolti (Malavolti Hill) was in fact lowered several times, and its present layout dates from 1903. It stands in what is today called Piazza Matteotti (for the Sienese, Piazza della Posta).

The Sala delle Vittorie (Victory Hall) was created in 1950 from the cellars of the Oratory of Santa Caterina del Paradiso. Located beneath the seat of the Contrada del Drago, in Piazza Matteotti, it holds the Palii (silk banners) won by the Contrada from the 18th century to the present day, as well as memorabilia linked to the history of the Contrada, such as some historic flags and the zucchini (caps) worn by the jockeys during the race. It is a deeply evocative place that preserves the memory and the joy of the races won, moments that are essential in the life of every contradaiolo. Because of its importance, it is also where the Cerimonia dello Spago takes place every year, the official rite of passage into adult life for the young people of the Contrada. Among the most recent Drappelloni shine the works of internationally renowned artists such as Gerard Fromanger, exponent of the French Figuration Narrative, Domenico Paladino - from the Italian Transavantgarde movement - and Silvano Campeggi, known for his intense activity as poster designer for Hollywood films: the Palios won on 16 August in the years 1989, 1992 and 2001. The Drappellone of 1989 caused a stir with its modern representation of the Madonna, imagined as a woman of our times intent on pushing the stroller with the Child; the one of 1992 instead presents a splendid material processing for the fine embroidery that distinguishes it. The Drappellone of 2001 depicts a tender and young Virgin Mary, painted in a delicate blue color that accentuates her childish innocence. Below her, in a fiery red aura, two horses battle each other, one black and the other white, in which the light barbero emerges victorious, as was the gray Zodiac that led the Contrada to victory. The Drappellone of 2 July 2018, painted by Emilio Giannelli, dragaiolo and well-known illustrator for Corriere della Sera, has a special place in the heart of the contradaioli. The work highlights Giannelli's burlesque style and is populated by a myriad of figures, through which the artist manages to stage a real sample of humanity. The victory was strongly desired by the Contrada, proud to keep the work of one of its most illustrious sons.