Siena
Visit Siena, Italy
Siena is one of the most famous Italian medieval cities, a place every tourist wants to visit when in Tuscany. It is famous for its Palio horse race run around the piazza that takes place twice a year, and for its characteristic narrow streets flanked by brick buildings. Movie lovers worldwide can see Siena and the Palio in the James Bond movie, Quantum of Solace. This historic city is a UNESCO world heritage site and is filled with beautiful places to visit.
Things to see
Piazza del Campo – The Piazza del Campo dominates the city centre and is the starting point for every visit! It is one of the biggest medieval squares in the world and has an unmistakable, peculiar shell-shape. Every year, the famous Palio Horse takes place here. For many years, it has been the centre of life in Siena and an active marketplace. At the top of the square is the Fonte Gaia, one of the most beautiful fountains in the city.
Siena Duomo – This cathedral has a mostly black and white façade. The best part of the church is the interior and the floor, filled with esoteric symbols and religious stories, the Piccolomini Library with frescoes by Pinturicchio, the Piccolomini Chapel, where Michaelangelo worked from 1501 to 1504, carving the statues of the four lower niches.
Palazzo Pubblico – Located in the Piazza del Campo, the Palazzo Pubblico is one of the most renowned structures of Siena and stands out due to the amazing architecture and the domineering Torre del Mangia. The exterior features an Italian Gothic design with a two-tone stone cladding and beautiful arched windows.
Torre del Mangia – The slender, 102m tall tower stands proudly at the end of the Palazzo Pubblico, the tower was constructed at the same time as the palace. It is one of the best-known attractions in the city, as you can climb to the top for unrivalled views over the city of Siena. However, be prepared to climb 200 steps to reach the top, but when you reach the top, the views of the Piazza del Campo and Tuscan countryside are worth it.
Taste Sienese Food – You cannot visit Siena without having a traditional Sienese meal. One of the best courses you can eat in town is the ‘pici’, similar to spaghetti but slightly bigger, served with pepper and cheese or tomato sauce. Siena is also famous for desserts, try ricciarelli, cookies made with almonds.
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