Visiting Siena is always a unique and unforgettable experience! Immersed in the hilly landscape of Tuscany, Siena represents one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world, especially because of the spectacular shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. Legend has it that the city was actually founded by Senius, son of Remus, after whom it is named, which is why there are numerous statues along the streets portraying the mythical Romulus and Remus suckled by the she-wolf. Listed as UNESCO world heritage since 1995, Siena houses unmissable places to visit even if you don’t have much time available!
Piazza del Campo
The first stop along the way is the charming Piazza del Campo! The beating heart of the city, it can be distinguished by its really original shell shape which has made it famous all over the world. It is comprised of nine slices separated by white bands on the stone paving, which recall the Government of the Nine who were in power during the period in which the square was built and also represent the cloak of the Virgin Mary, protector of the city. The square is entirely closed in by buildings, including renowned restaurants and shops, and eleven passages branch off it which connect the various areas of the city. In the centre stands the Fonte Gaia, a public fountain inaugurated in 1346 and decorated with numerous sculptural reliefs by the artist Jacopo della Quercia.
Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia
Palazzo Pubblico, built by the the Government of the Nine between 1297 and 1310 still remains the office of the municipal administration and also houses the Civic Museum. Built in an elegant Gothic style overlooking Piazza del Campo, it houses masterpieces carried out by artists from Siena during that era, such as frescoes, pictorial works and sculptures displayed in the numerous halls that constitute the Museum. Alongside it stands the Torre del Mangia, which with its 88 metres of height qualifies as the fourteenth tallest tower in Italy. The famous “Mangia” after which it is named is nothing more than a nickname that the inhabitants gave to the bell-ringer Giovanni di Balduccio in the 14th century, known for squandering his earnings and his weakness for good food. The Tower can be visited and, after climbing up 300 steps, the evocative view of Siena and the surrounding hills can be admired from the top.
Siena Cathedral
The list of places to visit in Siena is incomplete without the Cathedral, which is dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta and is the main place of worship for the city. The romantic-Gothic style selected for its construction leaves all visitors speechless! The external façades and the bell tower are entirely covered in white marble alternating with green marble bands and the main façade is richly decorated with white and red marble sculptures and reliefs. The inside is split into three naves which are even more surprising! Every corner of the cathedral from the ceiling to the walls and the floor is enriched with frescoes, sculptures and multicoloured marble which represent historical scenes inspired by the Old and New Testament.
Baptistery of San Giovanni
The Baptistery, located in the square behind the Cathedral, was built in the 14th century when a decision was made to extend the structure of the cathedral. The most characteristic and eye-catching element is the main marble façade which has remained unfinished. The inside of the Baptistery is completely decorated with a prestigious cycle of religious frescoes, but the focal point is certainly the precious baptismal font on which some of the most important Renaissance sculptors, such as Lorenzo Ghiberti, Donatello and Jacopo della Quercia, worked.
Libreria Piccolomini
The bookshop is part of the Siena Cathedral complex and was built in 1492 to house the great literary heritage of Pope Pius II. As well as the incalculable treasure contained, it is a true jewel to look at due to the splendour of the frescoes that cover the walls and the vault, which are mainly gold coloured. The scenes represent the most important events in the life of the Pope and attract visitors due to the richness of the details and decorations.
Loggia della Mercanzia
The Loggia, situated to the back of Piazza del Campo where the main roads of Siena meet, is a work of Siena style that marks the passage from the medieval to the renaissance eras. Built between 1417 and 1428, it is comprised of a large porch with three arches supported by pillars richly decorated with five statues portraying the saints Paul, Peter, Sabinus, Ansanus and Victor. Built as an extension of Palazzo della Marcanzia, the ancient office of the city’s merchants’ guild, it gives tourists a view of the city as it was in the past.
Pinacoteca Nazionale
The Pinacoteca Nazionale is the most important museum in the city housing a fundamental collection of paintings on wood by the Sienese School from the 14th to the 17th century. The first core of the collection was created at the end of the 18th century thanks to the requests of the abbots Ciaccheri and De Angelis to prevent the destruction of works of art from the earlier era. The gallery now houses hundreds of works and unique pieces that are a real must for tourists looking for unrivalled richness and beauty.
Culture and food in Siena
A visit to the city of Siena not only means wandering through the main streets and admiring historical palaces and monuments, but also experiencing the culture first hand and savouring the local delicacies!
Palio di Siena
The Palio di Siena is a sports competition which originates in the middle ages and has been held twice a year, on 2 July and 16 August, in the central square, Piazza del Campo, since 1200. Every time, 10 of the 17 “contradas” into which the city is divided take part, challenging each other in an exciting horse race. The jockeys on horseback have to do three full laps around the track for a total length of about a kilometre, to win. Horses without a rider can also win, in honour of the contrada that they represent. For the people of Siena, the Palio has been part of their culture since birth and they take part in getting everything ready and organising the event throughout the year, with a great spirit of passion and cooperation.
Typical dishes of Siena
Siena is a city rich in surprises, including culinary ones that you can taste during your trip! To start with, the appetizers not to be missed include cured meats such as capocollo, pancetta and finocchiona which come from the Cinta Senese, a particular breed of local pig reared in the wild, always accompanied by Pecorino di Pienza cheese and Fettunta, a special bruschetta made of rustic bread covered in olive oil. The first courses are just as delicious, including Pici, a type of fresh handmade pasta similar to spaghetti but chunkier; Gnudi, made with ricotta, spinach and parmesan in the shape of large gnocchi served with butter and sage; and Ribollita Senese, based on boiled vegetables with stale bread. And you absolutely can’t miss the sweets! Panforte di Siena dates back to the 13th century and is marked by a strongly spicy flavour with cinnamon, honey, vanilla, orange and citron. Ricciarelli di Siena are oval shaped sweets based on almond paste, egg and sugar, with aromas of candied fruits and vanilla.
So that’s what to visit in Siena! Don’t miss any of the thousand historical, cultural and culinary delights that the city has to offer for discovering and getting to know even its most hidden and secluded corners. Visiting Siena will certainly be one of the best experiences of your life!