Siena is one of the most fascinating cities in Tuscany, a place where time seems to have stopped among the stone streets, the suggestive squares and the ancient buildings. Located in the heart of the region and surrounded by rolling hills, this medieval city is famous for the Palio, its perfectly preserved historical center and its rich artistic heritage.

With its Etruscan origins and glorious past as a city-state, Siena has been an economic and cultural power for centuries. Even today, walking through its streets means immersing yourself in a thousand-year-old history, among symbols of power and faith, extraordinary artistic masterpieces and breathtaking views of the Tuscan countryside.

In 1995, the historic center of Siena was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, a recognition that rewards the beauty and authenticity of a city that has managed to keep its medieval soul intact. If you love art, history and unique atmospheres, Siena is an unmissable stop on your trip to Tuscany.

What to see in Siena

⭐ Campo Square

The beating heart of the city, Piazza del Campo is one of the most spectacular medieval squares in Italy, with its iconic shell shape and a slight slope towards the Fonte Gaia, a copy of the fifteenth-century fountain by Jacopo della Quercia. The majestic Palazzo Pubblico, home to the Town Hall, and the Torre del Mangia, which stands 87 meters high, overlook this square. The paving of the square, divided into nine sections, pays homage to the “Governo dei Nove”, which administered Siena between 1287 and 1355. Every year, in July and August, the square comes alive with the Palio di Siena, the most famous horse race in Italy, a symbol of the pride and passion of the Sienese.

⭐ Palazzo Pubblico and Civic Museum

The Palazzo Pubblico, built between the 13th and 14th centuries, is one of the oldest public buildings in Italy still in use for its original function. Inside is the Civic Museum, which preserves frescoes of extraordinary importance such as the cycle of Good Government and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, the first secular representation in the history of art.

⭐ Mangia Tower

Torre del Mangia takes its name from Giovanni di Balduccio, the first bell-ringer, nicknamed “Mangia Guadagni” for his tendency to squander money. Climbing its 400 steps offers a breathtaking view of the city and the Tuscan countryside.

⭐ Siena Cathedral and the Cathedral Complex

The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is a masterpiece of Gothic-Romanesque architecture, with its black and white marble façade and interiors decorated with works by Donatello, Nicola Pisano, Michelangelo and Pinturicchio. The inlaid floor, composed of 56 biblical scenes, is visible only at certain times of the year.

The complex also includes:

• The Piccolomini Library, with splendid frescoes by Pinturicchio.

• The Crypt, discovered in 1999, with perfectly preserved medieval frescoes.

• The Facciatone, part of an unfinished project for the expansion of the Duomo, which offers a unique view of the city.

• The Baptistery of San Giovanni, with the famous fifteenth-century baptismal font.

• The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, which houses the altarpiece of the Maestà by Duccio di Buoninsegna and the original statues from the façade of the Duomo.

⭐ St. Mary of the Stairs

In front of the Duomo is the Santa Maria della Scala complex, one of the oldest hospitals in Europe, which welcomed pilgrims and the sick in the Middle Ages. Today it is a museum that houses a vast artistic heritage and temporary exhibitions.

⭐ The National Art Gallery

Located in the Brigidi and Buonsignori Palaces, the Pinacoteca contains masterpieces of Sienese painting, with works by Duccio di Buoninsegna, Simone Martini, Lorenzetti and Sassetta.

⭐ Sanctuary of Santa Caterina and Basilica of San Domenico

Siena is the birthplace of Saint Catherine, patron saint of Italy. Her house is now a sanctuary that houses the crucifix from which she received the stigmata. One of her most important relics is preserved in the nearby Basilica of San Domenico.

⭐ Medici Fortress

To the west of the historic center stands the Fortezza Medicea, from the top of which you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view of Siena. Inside there are wine shops where you can taste the wines of the area, including the famous Chianti Colli Senesi.