Siena tourist destination in Tuscany

It is a tourist destination of great historical cultural value, situated at 322 metres above sea level, in the heart of Tuscany, keeping intact the characteristic medieval appearance, with its uphill and downhill roads, sometimes steep other times narrow, that all lead all to the splendid Piazza del Campo and with the noble palaces surrounded by a beautiful hilly landscape.

The symbol of the town is the "Torre del Mangia", in the famous "Piazza del Campo" where for centuries the Palio (horse race) was carried out.

The origin of the name of Siena is still a subject being researched: some people attribute it to the Etruscan family of the Saina, others to the Roman family of the Saenii. It is certain that its development increased only in the Middle Ages when the town expanded in several directions. Ghibelline town for excellence, Siena was often in struggle with the Florentine Guelphs and witness to epical strifes that defined the history of medieval Italy. One of the most famous battles was at Montaperti on the 4th of September 1260, when the Sieneses defeated the Florentines.

The city reached its moment of highest splendor in 1300, it is from this age that most of the civil monuments came about. With the arrival of the tragic plague of 1348, Siena experienced a difficult period that lead to the annexation of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and to the loss of independence. Walking in the city you encounter streets rich in detail to be discovered such as from Piazza del Campo, where you can head towards the Cathedral passing along the steep staircase of the baptistery in order to then head towards the Hospital of Saint Maria della Scala, now used as a museum.

The "Palio delle Contrade di Siena"

The "Palio delle Contrade" (the Horse race) is the most famous and deeply felt among the Italian popular shows. Whoever decides to participate as a spectator at the Horse race will find himself attending a fascinating event, an historical cultural resurrection that culminates in an unbridled horses race in which the pride and ardent spirit of competition of the Districts is exalted.

 

 

Around Siena

The Sienese land offers to visitor a various and splendid landscape, especially for those who love  the vibrant colors of autumn and the green rows of the Chianti vineyards. Of course we cannot forget the wine production of the Sienese area where we can taste, besides the famous Chianti of the Sienese Hills, also the "Rosso di Montepulciano", the "Brunello di Montalcino" and the "Vernaccia di San Gimignano".

In Siena and nearby, in the restaurants and eating houses, you can taste typical dishes consisting of game such as: zuppa di lenticchie col fagiano (soup of lentils with pheasant), zuppa di rane (frog soup), chicken, spleen and game crostini, Zuppa di fagioli Sienese (soup of beans), Ribollita (typical Tuscan soup), Pici (typical sienese pasta), sweet and sour hare or wild boar, fagioli all'uccelletto (beans all'uccelletto).

We list only a few of the most important and typical aspects of Siena:

Details of the Cathedral

This is one of the most successful creations of Italian Gothic art. Its construction lasted from the XII century to the XIII century. Renowned artists worked At the factory, among whom the names of Giovanni Pisano and Giovanni di Cecco for the composite façade and the portals stand out. A side portal has a lunette with a relief of Donatello; the bell tower with its black and white stripes is of Romanesque structure.

The two-colour effect is repeated in the internal part and creates evocative effects of chiaroscuro (light and shades). The pavement with scratched designs and decorative wooden inlay is famous with 56 panels that represent sacred scenes, contributed to by at least to 40 artists (1369-1547), among whom Matteo di Giovanni and Pinturicchio. Moreover: "Piccolomini Libreria" with statues by Michelangelo and perhaps by J. della Quercia; "Piccolomini Libreria" and other chapels with works by G.L. Bernini, Guido from Siena, Pinturicchio, Donatello, Neroccio, Tino di Camaino; major altar, attributed to Peruzzi, Vecchietta, Giovanni di Stefano, F. Martini and Beccafumi; a wooden choir (XIV-XVI century) with inlaid mirrors by Giovanni from Verona; glass window with  the "Story of the Virgin" on boards by Duccio.

Out of all these precious works, the splendid marble "pulpit" stands out, realized in 1266-68 by Nicola Pisano with the help of his son Giovanni and other students, among whom Arnolfo di Cambio. Remarkable are also the sacristy, frescoed in the first years of the XV century and the "Sala Capitolare" (Chapter House). Alongside the Cathedral rises the Archiepiscopal Palace in which a very beautiful board of A. Lorenzetti is kept, the "Madonna of Latte", visible upon request.

Baptistery of S. Giovanni

It is situated under the apse of the Cathedral, almost forming the crypt (XIV century). On the first shelf there is the so-called "Crypt of the Statues", with the statues already outside the Cathedral and the most ancient Sienese mural frescoes of 1270-80. The inside has frescoes of the XIV and XV centuries and the admirable "christening font", work of J. della Quercia (1417-30), decorated with statues and reliefs of the same Jacopo as well as of Donatello, Giovanni di Turino, Turino di Sano and L. Ghiberti.

Sanctuary and house of S. Caterina da Siena

The house of Caterina Benincasa, Doctor of the Church and Patron Saint of Italy (1347-1380), was transformed into a sanctuary in 1464. The "Church of the Crucifix", the "Porch of the Municipalities of Italy", the "Superior Oratory" (a beautiful majolica pavement and paintings of the "5/600, with scenes of the life of the Saint), the "Oratory of the Room" and the "Church of Fontebranda" (of 1474, with superb works of art) form part of this.

Municipio and Torre del Mangia

Extraordinary complex of masterpieces in perfect symbiosis with the Monumental Rooms where they are kept. Sienese art from the XIV to the XVI century is kept here in some of its most superior expressions. The superb setting of the Public Palace provide an ideal frame for the frescoes, sculptures, paintings, the"Maestà" and the "Guidoriccio" by Simone Martini and the works of Martino di Bartolomeo, Rossellino, T. of Bartolo, Beccafumi, Vecchietta, Sano di Pietro, Duccio.

In the "Sala della Pace" (Room of Peace) the famous cycle of the "Buongoverno" (Good Government) and the "Malgoverno" (Bad Government ) by A. Lorenzetti (1338-40) is kept. Other important works of art are also present: a wooden choir of the XV century (in the Chapel), majolicae, portraits, arms, coins, Florentine and French tapestries, etc; In the Loggia the remains of the "Fonte gaia " (Joyful Font) of J. della Quercia are kept. The same palace rises as a pearl in the "Piazza del Campo", the public square for excellence, taking the shape of a shell, in the middle of other Turriti buildings.

Masterpiece of Gothic art, it is flanked by the slender "Torre del Mangia" (XIV century) that has 503 steps. If you have the strength to go up, the prize is a wonderful panorama. The Chapel of the Square rises at the foot of the tower (1352-1468). The courtyard so called "del Podestà" ( chief magistrate ) is truly beautiful. To complete the whole picture, there is also a theatrical space, the 16th century "Theater dei Rinnovati", restored in the XVIII century by A. Bibiena.

Biblioteca comunale degli Intronati (Municipal Library )

The famous Library, founded in 1759, keeps more than three hundred thousand volumes and designs of the great painters and architects of the Renaissance, among which the note-book of designs by Giuliano da Sangallo; among the incunabola, some with designs by Botticelli and the "Letters of Santa Caterina"; other manuscripts and precious illuminated manuscripts of inestimable value from the X to the XVI century.

Oratory of San Bernardino

Erected in the XV century, it is constituted by the "Inferior Oratory", rich in paintings, frescoes and terracottas and in the "Superior", decorated with remarkable stuccoes and carvings of the XV century, as well as by frescoes of the Sodoma, Girolamo del Pacchia and Beccafumi (1518-32). Within the complex, there is also the Diocesan Museum of the Sacred Art.

The "Enoteca Italiana" and Fortezza Medicea

The Enoteca Italiana (Italian Wine cellar) is located in the bastions that lock, from north to east, the access to the Fortezza Medicea (Medicea Fortress), a structure commissioned by Cosimo I dei Medici, entrusting the design of it to the architect Baldassare Lanci in 1561. The only national institution is situated within this splendid example of sixteenth century military architecture that has, in accordance with the Republic President's decree, the aim of presenting the visitor with a display window of excellent Italian wines and to offer wine tasting opportunities.

National Art Gallery

The very rich collection includes Sienese paintings from the XII to the XVIII century with masterpieces of its great Masters and of less famous artists but in any case of great interest. We cite some of these, even of other schools: Guido from Siena, Duccio, N. di Segna, B. di Fredi, L. di Tommé,and many others (present with many first class works). There is also the "Collection Spannocchi" with Italian, Flemish and German paintings: B. Strozzi, Lotto, P. Bordone, Moroni, Durer, (a wonderful "Saint Girolamo") and others.