Siena Walks 16: Nobile Contrada del Nicchio—the Shell

Important Contrada Information

Banner (with colors and symbol): A silver shell with a Grand Duke’s crown above on a blue background. Stems of red coral stand at the shell’s sides and have a pendant created by three Savoy knots interweaved with a silver and a red rose.

Motto: È il rosso del corallo che m’arde in cor. (The red of the coral burns in my heart.)

Headquarters (seat or sede): Via dell’Oliviera, 47

The Neighborhood: Chiesa di San Raimondo al Refugio; Via Roma; Via Pispini; Chiesa di Santo Spirito; Porta Pispini

Guild: Potters

Church: Chiesa di San Gaetano di Thiene

Patron Saint: San Gaetano di Thiene

Fountain: Fonte dei Pispini, built by members of the contrada in 1534 and located in front of the society La Pania and at the entrance to the barracks of Saint Clara

Allied Contrade: Caterpillar, Wave (since 1960), Goose (1777–1934), Tortoise (since 1933), Valley of the Ram (from 1905 to 1952)

Adversary Contrada: Valley of the Ram (since 1952)

The Walk

Begin: Porta dei Pispini

End: Via dei Pispini 68/70 (Museum of the Shell Contrada)