Siena, Italy

What began as an Etruscan settlement around 900 BC is now the bustling and thriving city of Sienna. Located in Tuscany, this medieval city is a dazzling place to visit with ornate architecture, famous works of art, and an interesting history. Not quite as famous as Rome, Venice or Florence, yet this UNESCO listed city is home to many famous landmarks including Piazza del Campo, Pubblico Palace, Piazza del Duomo, Duomo di Sienna, and ancient city walls.

Piazza del Campo is the heart of the medieval section of town and a central meeting place referred to simply as the Campo. This UNESCO World Heritage Site (1995) was commissioned by the Council Of Nine in 1349. Shaped like the interior of a shell, it is divided into nine sections to represent the nine Lords who ruled Siena in the 13th century. It is the site of the bi-annual Palio horse race, and the finishing point of the Giro d’Italia bicycle race.

Located in the Campo is Palazzo Pubblico, constructed in 1297 as the seat of the local government. This medieval Gothic building is the major focal point of the Campo. It is now a Civic Museum with famous frescoes in most of the rooms. The tower (300 ft; 102m) is open for climbing if you want a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area. Unfortunately, it was closed when we visited due to high winds.

Ambrogio Lorenzetti created the most famous of the frescoes – The Allegory of Good and Bad Government. You’ll find works by many other artists throughout the museum.

There is a parade just prior to the horse race (mentioned above) with participants decked out in costumes from previous eras. Some of these costumes are on display in the basement of the museum.

Piazza del Duomo is Siena’s crowning jewel. Construction began in 1215 on the site of a previous Roman temple, and was completed in 1263, with the upper portions added in the 14th century. The exterior and interior are incredibly ornate with statuary, carvings, gargoyles, just to name a few.

The interior is decorated in black and white stripes to represent Siena’s coat of arms. Click here if you want a more detailed history of the duomo. Many of Italy’s most famous artists produced works for the structure including Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, Donatello, Pinturichio, Lorenzo Ghiberti, and Bernini.

You’ll be hungry after visiting so many historical locations, so head to al Mangia in the Campo. Open since 1937, this restaurant specializes in traditional Tuscan and Sienese dishes.

There is much more to do and see in Siena, but we had only two days – not enough time to see all this beautiful city has to offer. Maybe someday we’ll return to see even more. Just wandering the narrow streets is a treat.

This quote sums up perfectly my thoughts of Siena.

The sun still beats down warmly over the Sienese countryside in September, and the stubble left by harvest covers the fields with a sort of animal fur. It is one of the most beautiful countrysides in the world: God has drawn the curve of its hills with an exquisite freedom, and has given it a rich and varied vegetation among which the cypresses stand out like lords. Man has worked this earth to advantage and has spread his dwellings over it; but from the most princely villa to the humbles cottage they all have a similar grace and harmony with their ochre walls and curved tiles. The road is never monotonous; it winds and rises, only to descend into another valley between terraced fields and age-old olive groves. Both God and man have shown their genius at Siena.”
― Maurice Druon, La flor de lis y el león

As always, I would love to hear from you so feel free to leave a comment.

Wishing you grand adventures,

Tricia