Siena: Gothic Architecture, Palio and Museums

Siena’s historic centre preserves the Gothic appearance it acquired between the 12th and 15th centuries. The city developed across three hills; three main streets connect them in a Y shape and meet in the valley at Piazza del Campo. This layout gives your visit a clear point of reference: the piazza lies where the three main routes converge.

Urban Layout, Palazzo and Frescoes

The Palazzo Pubblico was built between 1297 and 1310. The Torre del Mangia is 87 metres high, or 102 metres including the lightning rod. The Museo Civico’s tour includes a monumental 14th-century loggia, offering sweeping views across the valley behind the Palazzo Pubblico. The museum also houses an extensive cycle of frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, painted between 1338 and 1339. It depicts the allegory of the government of the “Nine” and its effects on the city and countryside.

The museums’ collections also offer different insights into Siena’s history. The Museo delle Biccherne displays 106 painted wooden panels. From the 13th to the 17th century, panels like these served as covers for account registers. Staff accompany visitors throughout the visit to this exhibition. In the Sala Dantesca of the State Archives of Siena, you can see Giovanni Boccaccio’s will, documents relating to episodes or people from Dante’s Commedia, and writings by Santa Caterina and San Bernardino.

The Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Accademia dei Fisiocritici organises its collections into the main fields of geology, zoology, anatomy and botany, as well as smaller collections. Santa Maria della Scala was once a hospital for pilgrims and is now a museum. It displays the original statues Jacopo della Quercia created for the Fonte Gaia. Historical documents, natural history and art thus offer different focuses for a museum visit.

Underground Routes and Special Places

The Bottini form an underground aqueduct network more than 25 kilometres long, supplying Siena’s fountains and water points. Some sections can be explored on foot; access is by guided tour, with limited group sizes. As visiting arrangements may change, check the tour conditions before making plans. The Porta del Cielo offers a different view over the city: the route crosses the cathedral roofs and provides panoramic views from within and outside the cathedral. Here too, it is worth checking the current access arrangements.

The Via Francigena passes through Siena. This historic pilgrimage route brought pilgrims from Western Europe towards Rome. A medieval city garden has been reconstructed at the Orto de’ Pecci. Those interested in the connection between the city’s history and its landscape can also enjoy sweeping views across the valley behind the Palazzo Pubblico from the loggia of the Museo Civico.

The Palio and Recurring Events

Ten of Siena’s 17 Contrade compete in the Palio on 2 July. The race consists of three laps around Piazza del Campo. For the Palio races on 2 July and 16 August, the piazza is covered each year with a layer of earth made from a mixture of tuff and sand. The Drappellone, an original painting on silk, is presented to the winning Contrada of each race. If you would like to plan your trip around the Palio, check the dates and details of the event schedule for the year you plan to visit.

Another recurring event is the “Mercato nel Campo” on the first weekend in December. Food and craft products are presented in Piazza del Campo in a tradition that recalls medieval markets. The Palio and the market provide specific dates to plan around, while the museums and the city’s historic layout offer other points of interest.

Getting Around During Your Stay

Siena railway station is about two kilometres from the city centre. For the historic centre, there is a plan for pedestrian and cycle traffic as part of measures to control car traffic. You can take these details into account when finding your way around and planning your routes.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Cetona, Chianciano Terme, Chiusdino, Montalcino, Monticiano, Pienza, Radda / Chianti, Radicofani, Radicondoli, Badiaccia A Montemuro, Taverne D'arbia, Gallina, Piazze, Mensano, Fonteregina, Torri, Fonterutoli, Presciano, Badesse, Campriano, La Fratta, Ponte A Tressa, Megognano, Toiano, Scalvaia, Anqua, Monteriggioni, Poggibonsi, Vagliagli, Monteroni D'arbia, Montegabbro, Torrita Di Siena, Asciano, Buonconvento, Casole D'elsa, Castiglione D'orcia, Siena, Murlo, Valiano, Abbadia San Salvatore, Piancastagnaio, Montepulciano, Chiusi, Bibbiano, Colombaio, Rapolano Terme, San Casciano Dei Bagni, San Gimignano, San Giovanni D'asso, San Quirico D'orcia, Sarteano, Scrofiano, Sinalunga, Sovicille, Trequanda, Castellina In Chianti, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Colle Di Val D'elsa, Gaiole In Chianti, Isola D'arbia.

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