Imagine going back in time having the opportunity to immerse yourself in an ancient era, savor the atmosphere and walk between ancient walls and historic buildings, stately homes and ancient sources. That’s what discovering Siena means.
Siena is a small city in the heart of Tuscany, famous worldwide for its Palio, it is a medieval jewel set in the countryside. Visiting Siena means discovering the city by walking in its narrow streets still closed within the walls. The perfectly preserved historic center is divided between the 17 districts of the city, real neighborhoods full of life and culture.
The tour will start from the majestic Basilica of San Domenico, the first Dominican convent in Tuscany that was built in the thirteenth century, the place where the relic of the head of St. Catherine of Siena, patron saint of the city, Italy and Europe is preserved. Saint Catherine was born, in fact, just a few steps from here in the neighborhood of the art of wool and her family back in the fourteenth century was one of the most illustrious representatives. Leaving the Basilica an extraordinary panoramic view of the city opens up in front of you with the Duomo and the Torre del Mangia; it is an unmissable place to take photos.
Continuing to walk towards the center, the second stop is Piazza Salimbeni; an extraordinary square that houses the old castle of the Salimbeni, a family of bankers and merchants, with its splendid Renaissance palaces. In the square there is the Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank in the world (founded in 1472) and still one of the most important credit institutions.
From Salimbeni our tour continues along Via Banchi di Sopra, a route along the ancient Via Francigena, the pilgrimage route that crossed Europe. This road was in the Middle Ages the main route that pilgrims crossed to get to Rome, but it was also a flourishing trade route that contributed greatly to Siena’s economic fortune.
Continuing the path opens up in front of us Piazza Tolomei, with its prestigious palace of 1200, that belonged to the Tolomei family, the bitter enemies of the Salimbeni. In this square dominated by the church of San Cristoforo, ancient center of the city before the construction of the Piazza del Campo, we can discover one of the many statues of the She-wolf with Romulus and Remus, a nineteenth-century tribute to the ancient origins of the city. According to legend, in fact, Siena was founded by Remo’s sons, Senio and Ascanio, who had fled from their uncle and from Rome.
Still following the Via Francigena, our itinerary takes us to Croce del Travaglio, the crossroads of the city overlooked by the Loggia della Mercanzia, a fascinating 15th century building. Passing next to the loggia, going down the small stairs and passing under the arch, one of the most beautiful squares in Italy appears before us: Piazza del Campo. One of the most interesting urban spaces of the city, rich in symbols and with a conformation that resembles that of a shell. The dominant color is the red of the bricks that pave it and divide it into segments; at the center of the view stands the Palazzo Pubblico of Siena.
The Palace, built between 1293 and 1310, became the prototype of the great Sienese noble palaces.
Headquarter of the Government of the Republic of Siena, the palace preserves inside the wonderful frescoes of the cycle of Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. These frescoes, painted in the fourteenth century, served as a warning to the rulers of the republic, so that justice would always guide them.
Next to the palace we find the Cappella di Piazza and above it stands the imposing Torre del Mangia, named after Giovanni Mangiaguadagni the custodian who had the task of ringing the hours from the bells at the top of the 88 m high tower. In addition to its architectural beauty, the square is the place where every year, the famous Palio di Siena takes place. Here you can enjoy the atmosphere and immerse yourself in one of the oldest and most traditional horse races in the world.
The visit to the city will continue but not before having tasted the typical sweets of Siena at the historic Caffè Nannini: the Panforte, the Panpepato and the Ricciarelli in order to capture with all the senses the essence of the city.
The journey of discovery of Siena ends in the highest part of the city, where the majesty of the Cathedral and its polychrome marble, statues and decorations, will leave you breathless. We will discover how the Cathedral of Siena is a splendid architectural project carried out over the centuries, overturned several times, whose grandeur leaves you amazed today. A perfect example of Italian Gothic, every external element is decorated and the interior houses masterpieces such as the Piccolomini Library, works by Michelangelo, Donatello, Bernini, Nicola Pisano and many others. We will discover together the “most beautiful floor in the world” completely made of inlaid marble.
After filling our eyes with all these wonders, we will return to Piazza del Campo where, surrounded by history, we will enjoy a good glass of Chianti.
Letizia Castelli
Tourist Guide and Archaeologist
licensed in Arezzo, Siena and provinces