The Contrada Priora della Civetta is one of the seventeen contrades of Siena, located in the Terzo di San Martino. Its emblem is a divided shield of black and red, featuring a crowned owl perched on a branch, with two azure escutcheons bearing the letters U and M, initials of Umberto I of Savoy and Margherita di Savoia. Its colors are black and red, striped with white. The contrada’s motto is “I see in the night.”
The contrada holds the title of “Priora” for having hosted the first meeting of the Magistrato delle Contrade. Its belonging Terzo is San Martino. The military companies associated with the contrada are San Cristoforo, San Pietro in Banchi, and San Vigilio. The allied contrades of the Civetta are Aquila, Giraffa, Istrice, and Pantera. The rival contrada of the Civetta is Leocorno. The patron saint of the contrada is Saint Anthony of Padua, and the titular celebration is held on the Sunday around June 13th. The contrada’s guild is that of shoemakers.
The Contrada Priora della Civetta is one of Siena’s oldest contrades, with a long and rich history. The contrada is deeply cherished by its contradaioli (contrada members), who are always ready to support it in its races at the Palio.