The Sovereign Contrada of the Porcupine is one of the seventeen contrades of Siena, located in the Terzo di Camollia. Its emblem is a crowned porcupine. On the sides of the crown: two roses of Cyprus; above the crown: a white cross on a red background of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta. Below, a blue Savoy knot. Its colors are white with black, blue, and red arabesques. The motto of the contrada is “I sting only for defense”.

The contrada holds the title of Sovereign granted in 1980 by the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, which had its headquarters in the Camollia district since the 14th century. Its Terzo of belonging is Camollia. The military companies associated with the contrada are La Magione, San Bartolomeo, San Vincenzo, Santo Stefano. The allied contrades of the porcupine are Bruco, Chiocciola, Civetta, and Giraffa. The opposing contrada to the porcupine is Lupa. The patron saint of the contrada is Saint Bartholomew the Apostle. The titular feast is celebrated around August 24th. The contrada’s guild is that of blacksmiths.

The Sovereign Contrada of the Porcupine is one of the oldest contrades in Siena, 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.