The Goose, in the lower town below San Domenico, is one of the 17 contrade of Siena and historically the most successful in the Palio, with the most victories of any district. The streets are narrow and steep, with the contrada museum, oratory, and the family house of Catherine of Siena all within a small triangle.
In the days before each Palio the streets fill with district members in costume, banner-throwers practising in the squares, and long communal dinners under strings of contrada flags. Even outside Palio season the Goose feels distinct from the rest of the city.