Best of Siena

Siena is a lovely Tuscan town with many medieval streets, superb architecture and a lot of museums and monuments that keep you occupied. It is the home of the most amazing medieval art and the architectural treasures. Also Siena offers a never-ending number of cultural sights and interests for travellers: the unique “Palio” and wine tasting in the old wine bars, romantic walks along the narrow alleys and try with alleys and excursions outside Siena city in the Siena Chiantin area and in Val’Orcia. Daily numerous trains connect the medieval city with Florence located 43 miles to the north.

The Cathedrale di Santa Maria best known as the Duomo is a rich treasure, house of Tuscan art. It is a spectacular gothic cathedral with an elaborately carved exterior. Archaeological research has shown that there was a temple built here as early as the 3rd century. Santa Maria church was built on top of that, and then the current Duomo which was begun at the end of 12th.

On a plot of land that has always been dedicated to religion. It was designed in 1215 and the cathedral’s construction was completed in 1263, and the Siena pulpit was sculpted by Nicola Pisano. Furthermore there are several masterpieces within Duomo including works by Piano, Arnolfo di Cambio, Bernini, Michelangelo and Donatelli. Several pieces have been moved nearby to The Museo del Opera.

The 14th century was a time of great wealth and power for Siena, and plans were made to expand the cathedral into a great church that would dwarf even St. Peter’s in Rome. But when the construction just started, the Black Death swept through the city and killed 4/5 of Siena’s population, in 1348. The giant cathedral was never completed, and the half-finished walls remain today as a monument to Siena's ambition and one-time wealth. In the 19th century, the facade was decorated with gold-laden Venetian mosaics.

The black and white striped campanile and baptistery makes a fine group in the church. The flooring contains 59 mosaic etched and inlaid marble panels painstakingly created from 1372 to 1547. The most precious mosaic panels under the apse and in the transepts are protected by cardboard flooring and only from August 23 to October 3 are uncovered each year in honour of the Palio. The floor’s labyrinth is traversed by penitents on their knees.

The famous Gothic octagonal pulpit is another interior highlight by Nicola Pisano and assisted by his son Giovanni. It depicts Christ’s life in crowded, detailed turmoil, divided by figures in flowing robes. The columns are supported on the backs of lions with their prey and cubs, and the base of the central column is a seated congregation of philosophers and figures representing the liberal arts.

The Cathedrale di Santa Maria - Duomo di Siena

The Piazza del Campo, an stunning square architecture, has been decorated and modified. But it never was altered in nature over the centuries just Il Campo has grown from humble beginnings. It is divided in nine marked sectors, symbolizing the council of nine. That council was responsible for the government of the medieval city.

Arguably the most beautiful piazza of Italy, Il Campo is craft like a sloping scallop shell. It was first laid out in the 1100s on the site of Roman forum. The herringbone Siena brick pavement is divided by white marble lines into nine sections representing the city's medieval ruling body. The Campo's tilt, fan shape, and structure are all a calibrated part of the city's ancient water system and underground canal network. Did you know that the people of Siena at that time were famous for the making of bricks?

Around the Piazza are ranged the Palazzo Pubblico with its Torre del Mangia and various palazzi signorili. From the piazza, eleven narrow shaded streets radiate into the city. Twice a year, the bareback horse race can be run so the outer section of the square is covered with earth so the Palio, a bareback horse race, can be.

Piazza del Campo - Siena

The original purpose of Palazzo Pubblico was to house the republican government, consisting of the Podesta and Council of Nine. The palace, a wonderful building was completed at the beginning of the 14th century.

The outside of the structure is an example of Italian medieval architecture with Gothic influences. The lower story is stone; the upper crenelatted stories are made of brick. The facade of the palace is curved slightly inwards (concave) to reflect the outwards curve (convex) of the Piazza del Campo, Siena's central square of which the Palace is the focal point.

The Salone del Mappamondo is considered to be the first profane cycle in western art in history, are to be noted. It is entirely filled with frescoes by Simone Martini and the Sala dei Nove, decorated by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, with the “Allegoria del buon governo” and the “Allegoria e gli effetti del cattivo governo”

The tower was built between 1338 and 1348, is the second highest medieval bell tower in Italy. It stands alongside the Palazzo Pubblico and was called by this name in honour of the nickname given to its first bell-ringer, known as Mangiaguadagni.

There are restrictions on the number of people allowed in the viewing area. The stair way is tight and difficult to pass with descending visitors. You will need to climb around 505 steps to enjoy beautiful views over Siena with approximately 102 metres of height.

Request more information:

Send to a friend

Your comments or questions: Price quote | Book now