Weekend in Siena
Siena is famous the world over for its enchanting beauty and fascinating history
Photo by alessandro silipo
Siena’s worldwide fame comes partly from its enchanting beauty, partly from its fascinating history, and, mostly, from its imposing Palio. While the locals are enamored with it for obvious traditional reasons, tourists are drawn to it by its colours, sounds, and charmingly competitive atmosphere.
Piazza del Campo is Siena’s main stage; the Palio and its square are shell shaped, dominated by the Torre del Mangia (which is a must-see sight for its spectacular view of the city) placed imposingly aside the medieval Palazzo Pubblico, once the seat of Siena’s rulers, and now its main municipal building. The Museo Civico is also located within, caring for such works of art such as Simone Martini’s fresco “Maestà”. Siena’s main square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Siena’s historic center is entirely medieval and full of places to see: from the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built in a Roman-Gothic style with a peculiar black and white striped marble facade, to the Libreria Piccolomini within that still holds a set of frescoes by Pinturicchio, to the Battistero di San Giovanni (right behind the Duomo) where Jacopo della Quercia’s famous baptizing fountain is located.
Piazza del Campo is Siena’s main stage; the Palio and its square are shell shaped, dominated by the Torre del Mangia (which is a must-see sight for its spectacular view of the city) placed imposingly aside the medieval Palazzo Pubblico, once the seat of Siena’s rulers, and now its main municipal building. The Museo Civico is also located within, caring for such works of art such as Simone Martini’s fresco “Maestà”. Siena’s main square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Siena’s historic center is entirely medieval and full of places to see: from the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, built in a Roman-Gothic style with a peculiar black and white striped marble facade, to the Libreria Piccolomini within that still holds a set of frescoes by Pinturicchio, to the Battistero di San Giovanni (right behind the Duomo) where Jacopo della Quercia’s famous baptizing fountain is located.
Siena’s a city full of delights to discover.
Photo by Antonio Cinotti
Splendid buildings complete the tranquil scenery, like Palazzo Tolomei and Palazzo Salimbeni, from the 13th century, while the Pinacoteca Nazionale that hosts painting by incomparable artists such as Duccio di Buoninsegna is a great place to stop by.
Siena is one great big discovery after another; for those of you who love atmosphere, take some time to sip a coffee in one of the main cafès and visit some of the most famous bakers to try the typical ricciarelli, or a slice of panforte. Lovers of fine cuisine can taste the regional delights and specialties based on Chianina meat, prepared in a variety of ways and accompanied by a sincere Chianti with typical Tuscan toast, covered in exquisite extra virgin olive oil.
We hope you can wrap up the weekend with a relaxing drink to start off a night of sights and tenderness from the city with a heart of gold.
Italy’s most beautiful squares
Siena is one great big discovery after another; for those of you who love atmosphere, take some time to sip a coffee in one of the main cafès and visit some of the most famous bakers to try the typical ricciarelli, or a slice of panforte. Lovers of fine cuisine can taste the regional delights and specialties based on Chianina meat, prepared in a variety of ways and accompanied by a sincere Chianti with typical Tuscan toast, covered in exquisite extra virgin olive oil.
We hope you can wrap up the weekend with a relaxing drink to start off a night of sights and tenderness from the city with a heart of gold.
Italy’s most beautiful squares
Piazza del Campo was voted by our readers as one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. This list also includes the squares of Vigevano, Pisa, Venice, Rome, Naples, Ascoli Piceno, Lecce and Palermo.
Italy’s most beautiful castles
Castello di Monteriggioni in Siena was voted by our readers as one of the most beautiful castles in Italy.This list also includes the Castello Miramare in Trieste, Castel del Monte in Andria, Castello di Fènis in Aosta, Castel Coira Sludeno in Bolzano, Castello Sforesco in Milan, Castel Dell’Ovo in Naples, Castello Estense in Ferrara, Castel Sant’Angelo in Rome, Castello Aragonese in Taranto, Castello di Gradara in Pesaro-Urbino, Castello Scaligero di Sirmione in Brescia, the Rocca Borromeo di Angera in Varese, Castello Normanno Svevo in Bari, Castello di San Giorgio in Mantova, Castello Venere di Erice a Trapani, the Rocca Maggiore in Assisi and the Castello del Buonconsiglio di Trento.
Written by:
Aldo Galvagno
Translation by:
Daniel Yeatman
