Siena is a historic city in the region of Tuscany and is the capital of the province of Siena.
This city is famous for its beautiful architecture and beautiful main square - the square. Furthermore, Siena has a historic city center that has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Additionally, Siena is also known for its legendary Palio horse race that takes place twice a year and draws hundreds of spectators. As with other cities in Tuscany, Siena was first settled by Etruscan tribes and became a town during the Roman reign of Emperor Augustus. As the town was not located near any major roads, it did not prosper during the Roman Era, however during the time of the Lombards the town developed and eventually became the powerful Republic of Siena that lasts for several hundred years.
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1. Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta
Siena Cathedral is one of the premier pieces of Gothic architecture in the whole of Italy. This building is simply fantastic and both its exterior and interior designs are sublime. Originally constructed in the 13th century, the cathedral has stood for hundreds of years as an icon of the city and sits in the Piazza del Duomo in the historic town center.
The façade and exterior of the cathedral are magnificent and features a plethora of white stone and marble design features, plus several sublime frescos.
Furthermore, the interior of the church is quite breath-taking – practically every angle is decorated; from striped polychrome marble arches to the ornate golden dome and the beautiful frescos above the main altar.
2. Piazza del Campo
The Piazza del Campo is undoubtedly the main square of Siena – this superb open square contains some simply stunning architecture and is always buzzing with local life and tourism.
What makes this square so inviting are the curved lines of the buildings that provide an enclosed and friendly feeling. Notable buildings located on the square include the gigantic Torre del Mangia, the beautiful Palazzo Pubblico and the Fountain of Gaia.
Many people start their tour of Siena from this very point and it also contains a range of cafes, restaurants, and shops. The beautiful medieval architecture, lively atmosphere and interesting shape of the square make it a major attraction.
3. Palazzo Pubblico
Located in the Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico is one of the most renowned structures in Siena and stands out due to its amazing architecture and the domineering Torre del Mangia.
This medieval structure was created in the 13th century and served as the house of the Republican Government of Siena. The exterior features Italian Gothic design with a two-tone stone cladding and a plethora of beautiful arched windows.
Furthermore, the interior of the palace contains some stunning frescos – practically every major room in the building is covered with ornate decoration and gorgeous paintings.
Guided tours of the palace interior are possible and it is also possible to climb to the top of the Torre del Mangia.
4. Torre del Mangia
This slender 102m tall tower stands proudly at the end of the Palazzo Pubblico and is one of the best-known attractions in the city. This tower was constructed at the same time as the palace and features a similar two-tone design with a white stone crown.
It is possible to climb to the top of the tower for unrivaled views of the city of Siena – be warned, however, you have to climb over two hundred steps to reach the top, but the reward is worth it! When you reach the top, you can look down on the Piazza del Campo and see the gorgeous Tuscan countryside.
5. Biblioteca Piccolomini
Siena Cathedral is a wonder in its own right, but within the walls of this impressive building is a hidden treasure. The Piccolomini Library is renowned throughout the country and rightly so – within this small room is one of the most impressive frescos in the region of Tuscany.
The walls, arches, and ceiling are covered with this immensely detailed painting created by Pinturicchio and his workshop team. 10 different scenes are depicted here – all of which relate to the life and career of Pope Pius II. The detail is fantastic and the colors are still as vivid as the day they were created.
Aside from the magnificent paintings, there is also a series of historical manuscripts on display.
6. Siena National Gallery
The Siena National Gallery is housed within a former palace which in itself is a fantastic building dating back to the 15th century. You can find the gallery on Via San Pietro in the historic town center, just south of the Piazza del Campo.
Within the confines of the superb gallery, there is a brilliant collection of art, predominantly from Sienese Artists between the 12th and 16th centuries. Notable artworks include “Raising of Lazarus” and “Entry into Jerusalem” by Guide da Siena, and “Madonna Enthroned” by Lorenzetti.
Furthermore, there is also a series of cartoons by Beccafumi. This gallery is one of the most important in Siena and is a great place to visit to learn about the history of the cities arts and culture.
7. Church of San Domenico
The Church of San Domenico is located in the western part of the historic town center and features a jumble of different styles. Over the years this church has been changed and added too hence its immense size and strange amalgamation of design styles.
Although the exterior is not as lavish as the Siena Cathedral, the interior has some beautiful decorations like the Santa Caterina Chapel. This chapel has some beautiful religious frescoes and some marble sculptures.
Furthermore, the main nave contains some ornate religious fixtures such as golden candelabras and altarpieces. This building is yet another magnificent structure in the heart of Siena and is definitely worth a visit.
8. Piazza Salimbeni
The Piazza Salimbeni is a small but interesting square in the heart of the historic town center. On three sides of the square, you can find three completely different palace facades - Palazzo Tantucci, Palazzo Salimbeni, and Palazzo Spannocchi.
Originally, the center of the square was the garden of Salimbeni palace but today it contains some beautiful patterned tiles and an ornate marble statue.
Palazzo Tantucci has an orange façade with many white framed windows, while the adjacent Paris Spannocchi has a luxurious pale yellow design with a series of arched windows.
Finally, the Salimbeni Palace has a cream façade with several windows adorned with intricate plasterwork.
9. Porta Pispini
During the Middle Ages, Siena was a mighty city and it had an extensive defensive network that surrounded much of the town center. The Porta Pispini (or Gate of the Water Spout as it is also known) is one of the remaining portals from this historic network and can be found in the eastern part of Siena.
The gateway features a double doorway made from stone – both have impressive arches and the inner gate still has its wooden frame and doors. Furthermore, both doorways have a crenulated roofline and the effect is quite impressive.
If you walk to the right of the gate you can see the original city walls and a well-preserved guard tower too.
10. Santuario di Santa Caterina
This religious complex was created to honor St. Catherine of Siena and it is said to be built on her original birthplace. Within the complex, you can find a variety of different structures including several arcades and loggias, and the Church of the Crucified.
The Loggias and arcades are beautifully decorated and contain some fantastic architecture. Additionally, the Church of the Crucified contains some opulent decoration and frescos depicting the life of St. Catherine. This is a great place to visit to understand the importance of Siena’s main Saint.
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