Siena
Siena is located in the central part of Tuscany, approximately 43 miles (70 km) south of Florence.
Siena
Siena is located in the central part of Tuscany, approximately 43 miles (70 km) south of Florence. Some consider it to be the smaller version of Florence. Legend has it that Siena was founded by Senius and Aschius, the sons of Remus. Every year hundreds of spectators flock to Siena to see the Palio, a horse race held twice a year in the summer months in the Piazza Del Campo.
PIAZZA DEL CAMPO
Siena's main square, the Piazza Del Campo, is surrounded by cafés, shops and is a great local meeting spot to relax, eat, drink and be merry. The square dates back to the 12th century and its paving is divided into nine sectors representing the Council of Nine members. Make sure to look for the Fonte Gaia ("Fountain of the World"), which is situated in the square. It serves as an endpoint of the system of conduits bringing water to the city's center since 1419.
TORRE DEL MANGIA
Siena's Bell Tower was constructed from 1325 - 1348 and is located in the Piazza del Campo. It was originally designed to be the same height as the Duomo of Siena bell tower to symbolize that the church and the state had equal amount of power.
DUOMO DI SIENA
The Duomo of Siena is a former Roman Catholic Marian church which is now dedicated as a Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption. The Cathedral is decorated in white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes. The black and white stripes are the symbolic colors of Siena.
AROUND TOWN
Walk around the city center of Siena and admire the beauty of the back streets and medieval architect of buildings some dating back to the 12th century.
LOGGIA DELLA MERCANZIA
Loggia della Mercanzia was designed by Sano di Matteo and Pietro del Minella between 1417 and 1428 and served as the local trading spot in the city.
SAN CRISTOFORO
San Cristoforo is one of the oldest buildings in Siena constructed in the 11th to 12th century and was the seat of the Bell Council. The outside of the church features two statues and the inside features the Madonna with Child and Saints by Girolamo del Pacchia. The altar is adorned with the Blessed Bernardo Tolomei, a series of sculptures created by Bartolomeo Mazzuoli.
PIAZZA SALIMBENI
Piazza Salimbeni houses perhaps the oldest bank in the world, the Banca Monte Dei Paschi, founded in 1472. The square is also home to the statue of Sallustio Bandini, author of "Discorso sopra la Maremma di Siena".
