A visit to Siena is like a beautiful journey through time: walking among historic buildings, churches and ancient buildings, you will feel like taking a dip in the Middle Ages! This beautiful center is one of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and it can be consederd as one of the most beautiful in Italy, as well as in the whole world.
Have you planned a trip to Siena? Get ready to see its top attractions during your tour! Discover 7 wonderful things to see in this city to organize a perfect tour!
1- Piazza del Campo
The first stop on a trip to Siena is certainly Piazza del Campo, a world-famous square, known for the Palio (discover more about this event!) that is run twice a year, on July 2nd and August 16th. The square presents a shell-shape divided into nine segments, as it refers to the "Government of the Nine" that administered the city in the fourteenth century. It also includes a fountain called Fonte Gaia, one of the most important monumental fountains of the city. Piazza del Campo is located in a neutral territory and it is considered part of a common heritage of all the city "contradas". Actually, the Palio is particularly felt in Siena and it ignites great rivalries between its districts!
2- Palazzo Pubblico
Overlooking Piazza del Campo, the wonderful Palazzo Pubblico housed the Government centuries ago. It is a Gothic-style palace with mullioned windows, three-light windows, arches and richly decorated facades. Its interiors host the Civic Museum, which is an exhibition space containg the famous fresco by Lorenzetti, called the "Allegory of Good and Bad Government". Yo can also climb the beautiful "Torre del Mangia", a bell tower built in 1338 that is also one of the highest towers in Italy!
3- The Dome and its Monumental Complex
The Cathedral dedicated to Maria Assunta is an architectural masterpiece. Its façade is made in white marble and it's decorated with inserts in green and red marbles. It houses some works by Donatello and Michelangelo, as well as a majestic pulpit by Nicola Pisano. However, the floor is the part that always surprises the most: the fifty-six scenes inlaid in marble have been made by important artists of the fourteenth century and they leave every visitor speechless! However, the Cathedral complex does not only include the Dome: in addition to the Piccolomini Library frescoed by Pinturicchio, there is a magnificent crypt, the Museum of the Opera del Duomo and the Baptistery of San Giovanni. This last presents a charming marble baptismal font made by Jacopo della Quercia, which shows some splendid bronze panels made by Ghiberti and Donatello.
4- The Museum Complex of Santa Maria della Scala
Right next to the Cathedral stairway, you'll find a magnificent complex with works of art covering a period of a thousand years. Now it is an important museum, but in the medieval period this building was a hospital for pilgrims from the Via Francigena ! Precisely for this reason, one of its most beautiful rooms is called "Sala del Pellegrinaio": it has some beautiful frescoes reconstructing the history of the place and its welcoming function!
5- Palazzo Buonsignori and Pinacoteca Nazionale
You list must surely include one of the most beautiful buildings in Siena! Today, Palazzo Buonsignori houses a museum called "Pinacoteca Nazionale", exhibiting works by Sienese school artists dating back to the 13th-18th centuries. Some of these are Duccio di Buoninsegna, Simone Martini, Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti.
6- San Domenico Basilica
Go outside the fourteenth century city walls and find one of the most beautiful Gothic churches in the city! This Church presents a chapel in the middle of the nave and it houses the relic of Saint Catherine, who is also the patron saint of Siena. As well as being a stunning building, it contains some magnificent frescoes.
7- The Contradas
The best thing to do to discover Siena is to venture through its narrow streets looking for beautiful views. However, you won't really know the city if you don't live its districts! We advise you to visit the buildings of some contradas, where you can admire the "Drappelloni" won in the past Palios, which are exhibited as trophies. In fact, the period of Palio is also the best time to visit Siena! In summer, the town center comes alive with songs, shouts, flag-waving parades and traditional dinners organized by each district, as everybody is waiting for the day of the race. Taking part in one of these parties or attending a Palio is definitely something to do at least once in your life!
There are many more palaces and places you should visit in this city! All you have to do is start organizing your trip to Siena to see all its most important monuments: to bookan accommodation i Siena have a look at the villas below.
© Alice Pilastri
