Siena is a city unlike its neighbors in the Tuscany region of northern Italy. Having got here for a day, it seems that he was transported to the Middle Ages. The city has remained so untouched since its heyday. Siena's sights fully reflect its medieval Gothic temperament - restrained and a little austere without frivolous Baroque curls and embellishments.
Despite the fact that Siena is a fairly large tourist center, you do not feel the fuss here, completely dissolving in terracotta brick buildings made of local red clay. Even the usual leisurely walk will bring a lot of pleasure, revealing at each turn all the new incredible facets of this Italian city.
Siena - a medieval city in northern Italy
Siena Attractions
Siena attractions are very compact within walking distance from each other. You can inspect them both independently and as part of the tour. The tour is perfect for those who have only a few hours left. You can book a tour at this link.
Piazza del Campo in Siena and its main attractions
Historical center and Siena's main attraction is Piazza del Campo, in its structure resembling an antique amphitheater or shell shell. The area is conditionally divided into 9 sectors. This decision appeared in the fourteenth century, when all citizens from different quarters gathered for city holidays or political discussions. Citizens could occupy only their sectors according to their places of residence.
This tradition has survived now. The most significant city events and festivals, including the Palio horse race well-known far beyond Italy, are held at the Piazza del Campo, gathering representatives of all city blocks.
Piazza del Campo - the main city square of Siena and the venue of the legendary Siena horse racing
From all sides the square is surrounded by medieval buildings, the most notable of which is considered to be the building City Hall (Palazzo Pubblico) with an 88 meter high “lover of good food” tower (Torre del Mangia).
The town hall was built at the beginning of the 14th century. for meetings of the local ruling elite - the Council of Nine. At the same time, the government obliged the owners of houses in the Piazza del Campo to adhere to a single architectural style with the city hall and not to build buildings above the city hall itself. The role of the political center Palazzo Pubblico performs to this day: the upper floors of the building are occupied by the administration of the city of Siena.
City Hall with 88-meter Torre del Mangia Tower
But the first floor is devoted to art. Here are located Siena City Museum and Rinnovati Theater. The City Museum (Museo Civico) is interesting for its wall paintings. They appeared in the fourteenth century. thanks to the famous painter Ambrogio Lorenzetti, they entered the history of world art as the first cycle of images of non-religious subjects. By order of the local Council, Lorenzetti talked about how to properly and improperly manage the city. So one of the most famous fresco allegories of the “good and bad government” was born.
Fresco allegory of the “good” government of A. Lorenzetti
It is impossible to walk past the town hall due to the high Torre del Mangia Tower. For Italy in the Middle Ages, the Siena 88-meter tower was a gigantic structure, occupying an honorable third place after the towers in Cremona and Bologna. Its strange name - the Tower of a lover of delicious food - it received in honor of the first ranger Giovanni di Balduccio. He so loved spending time in taverns and taverns that he spent all his earnings there. There is a version that during the construction of the tower, fortune coins were walled into the base of the tower, and bricks with inscriptions protecting Torre del Mangia from natural disasters were placed on each corner.
Do not miss the opportunity to climb the observation deck of the tower. Overcoming 400 steps, you will be generously rewarded with stunning views of medieval Siena.
The view from the height of the tower Torre del Mangia
If Piazza del Campo is open to visitors all the time, then you need to buy a ticket in advance for the City Museum and the tower. You can buy a comprehensive ticket, as well as for individual attractions. Unfortunately, a ticket to the town hall cannot be bought in advance. They are sold only at the box office of the museum. We recommend that you look at the current ticket prices and the museum’s work schedule on the official website.
Duomo and Cathedral Square of Siena
In the immediate vicinity of the Piazza del Campo is another Siena square - Piazza del duomo. The main decoration of the square is Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena) in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral was built in the XIII century. on the site of the previously existing sanctuary of Minerva and to this day is one of the best examples of the Romanesque-Gothic style.
Siena Cathedral - one of the outstanding pearls of Italian Gothic
Famous masters of their era, Giovanni Pisano and Giovanni di Cecco, worked on the appearance of the Duomo. Inside, attention is drawn to the unique marble floor with biblical subjects and religious images. You will not be able to get past Michelangelo’s statues in the chapel of Piccolomini, a bronze statue of John the Baptist Donatello, decorated with biblical plots of the pulpit by Nicola Pisano and the Piccolomini library decorated with Pinturicchio frescoes.
Under the cathedral not so long ago was discovered crypt, which in the 13th century was most likely used to enter the church. The frescoes of the unknown master are also preserved here.
In the 14th century, when the Siena Republic reached its peak, it was planned to complete the basilica so that it would overshadow the size of St. Peter's Vatican Cathedral. But the ambitious plans of the Sienans were never destined to come true. The plague epidemic destroyed 80% of the urban population, apparently the Lord himself punished the townspeople for vanity.
The new cathedral remained unfinished on Cathedral Square. Now on top of it is one of the best viewing platforms in the city of Siena. And the lower floor is Museum of Duomowhere frescoes and sculptures of outstanding artists of the Middle Ages are stored.
Baptistery in the Siena Cathedral
We recommend visiting and Baptistery in the Cathedral of Siena. It is here from the XIV century. they baptized all Sienans from commoners to noble nobles. The baptistery is painted with frescoes of famous masters of its era, in the center of attention is the marble font, in the manufacture of which Donatello himself participated.
Those who want to visit the cathedral, crypt, baptistery, museum and climb the observation deck are recommended to purchase season ticket "Around Siena Cathedral". With a subscription, you can save up to 50% of the cost of individual tickets and avoid long queuing times. You can buy it online on this site. The subscription is valid for 3 days, which allows you to slowly explore all the most interesting.
The oldest hospital in Europe, Santa Maria della Scala
Among the attractions of Siena Cathedral Square, one of the oldest in Europe hospital Santa Maria della Scaladated to the 11th century with characteristic fresco paintings of the Middle Ages. The hospital preserved the church of the XIII century. Now in this building is located City Archaeological Museum, in the exposition of which you can see objects from the time of the Etruscans and Romans.
Official site of the museum santamariadellascala.com. Here you can find out the current prices for tickets and timetables.
Religious sites of Siena
Sienans are very proud of the fact that St. Catherine of Siena is the patron saint of Italy. The street of her name will certainly lead to to the house where the future saint lived before her tonsure. Back in the XV century. the Catholic Church bought the house and built a small temple here, which has become a traditional place of pilgrimage.
House of St. Catherine in Siena
In addition to the church, the saint’s room, her personal belongings and even a place to sleep were preserved in the house.
The life of St. Catherine is closely connected and built in the XIII century. St. Basilica Dominica. It was within the walls of this basilica that the future saint spent most of her life. The relics of St. Catherine - the head and finger brought here from Rome. The Dominican Church is currently a regular pilgrimage site.
Basilica of St. Dominica
Of the religious attractions of Siena in Italy you can also visit St. Basil Francisbuilt in the XIII century., Osservanza Basilicadating from the 15th century and the church of St. Augustine of the 14th century
Historical and cultural attractions of the city of Siena in Italy
Fans of medieval religious painting will not be able to pass by National Pinakothek Sienawhere you can see the paintings of Simone Martini, Sodom, the Lorenzetti brothers, Duccio di Buoninsenya and other famous painters.
Medici Fortress in Siena
Do not ignore the main fortification of the city - Cosimo Medici Fortress, built during the sunset of the Siena Republic in the XVI century. The fundamental brick structure is reinforced with pentagonal bastions. Over time, the fortress was disarmed, setting up a beautiful city garden with panoramic views of the city. Various exhibitions and cultural events are often organized here. Some of the premises were given to the Jazz Association, others were converted into an audio archive and library. And in the basement of the fortress in a pleasant atmosphere you can taste the best varieties of Italian wines.
How to get to the city of Siena in Italy
The nearest passenger airport is in Florence, a 55-minute drive from Siena. Find a flight ticket to Florence in the form below.
Further, there are several options:
- take a regular minibus and go to the Santa Maria Novella train station, from where you can leave by train or bus to Siena;
- pre-book a transfer from Florence Airport to Siena;
- rent a car at the airport and move freely not only in Florence and Siena, but throughout Italy;
- for those who do not plan to spend more than 1 day on sightseeing in Siena, we recommend booking a tour. It can be either individual, thanks to our wonderful guide Natalia, or group.
And finally, if you are planning to go to Italy in the near future, our free course with little-known chips and secrets from country experts will certainly come in handy. This knowledge will allow you to see in Italy what is missed by 95% of tourists.
Other interesting articles:
- Tuscany: 6 most interesting places in the region
- Palio in Siena: Italy's most famous horse racing
- Florence Airport and how to get to the city center
- Excursions from Florence on 1 day: TOP 5 most popular
- 10 points of interest in Florence where you can buy tickets online
