A contrada (plural: contrade) is a district, or a ward, within an Italian city. The most well-known contrade are probably the 17 contrade of Siena whose representatives race on horseback in the Palio di Siena, run twice each year. Each is named after an animal or symbol, and each has a long history and complicated heraldic and semi-mythological associations.
Oca is situated just to the west of the Piazza del Campo. Traditionally, its residents made dyes.
Oca‘s symbol is a crowned goose wearing around its neck a blue ribbon marked with the cross of Savoy. Its colours are green and white, with red trim.
Oca is one of only four nobile (noble) contrade; it earned its title for its people’s bravery during many battles fought by the former Sienese Republic.
The most recent palio win for Oca was in the July 2, 2013 race, with jockey Giovanni Atzeni riding Guess.