Siena

Siena

Another treasure within easy reach of Villa Pallero at just 35 minutes away, is Siena. Siena can also be reached by bus from It is a magical city full of surprises, with a tumultuous medieval history as arch-rival of Florence.

Legend has it that Siena was founded by the sons of Remus, Senius and Ascius, and you will see the familiar Roman symbol of the she-wolf suckling the twins all around the city. However excavations have found traces of earlier Etruscan and even Celtic habitation as well. Over time Siena has been famous for its wool industry, silver, and was one of the leading banking towns in Europe.

Its main square (Il Campo) is truly glorious, shaped like an amphitheatre - and for the fitter among you, don’t miss climbing the bell-tower (Torre del Mangia) for unbeatable 360 degree views of the city and the surrounding countryside.

Visit the Museo Civico in the square’s Palazzo Pubblico for some of the city’s greatest treasures .

Stunning views are also available from the parapets of the Duomo’s museum – a more accessible alternative to the Torre del Mangia. The Duomo itself is a controversial monument, with its black and white marble, round-arched Romanesque church, with a Gothic facade – see it and judge for yourself. The interior is well worth a visit, but beware as serious sightseers can spend an entire day there!

Siena can also be enjoyed with self-guided themed walking tours around the city quarters (Terzi). Leaflets with the walks can be found at Tourist Information centres and at other points around the city. These walks will lead you off the main beaten track to little gems you would probably otherwise miss.

Shopping-wise, what is striking about Siena is that there are very few tourist trinket outlets – rather a profusion of unpretentious artisan workshops with stained glass, ceramics, tapestries, books, and also gourmet regional foods and wines.

Siena is probably most famous for The Palio, a horse-race which takes place around the Campo on 2^nd July and 16^th August each year. The Palio is contested by the Contrade, the 17 neighbourhoods into which Siena is divided. A Contrada is not just a geographical boundary, but a self-governing entity, and each has a totem animal as its symbol.

The first recorded Palio took place in 1283. The race comprises three laps around the Campo, and the Palio is an embroidered banner offered as a prize to the winning Contrada. The race itself lasts only a minute and a half, but is preceded by an hour or two of pageantry. The Campo is always packed on the day, but you could try visiting during rehearsals which take place on the two or three days preceding the race instead.

For more information on events in Siena, visit the Tourist Office website www.comune.siena.it/turismo or www.terresiena.it