I was lucky enough to be able to go to Siena twice, once with my school as a field trip and once with my aunt and cousin on a day trip. Located a short 90 minute train ride from Florence, it’s so easy to travel to (and fall in love with) this little town. What makes Siena so different is that it’s split up into 17 districts (or contradas), all named after an animal or symbol, and each has a long history. To become a member of a certain contrada, you normally have to be born within it’s territory or inherit membership from your parents and these communities are so tightly bonded that even today, every important event in someones life is celebrated in their own contrada. The town is beautiful, filled with little shops and restaurants, but one might argue that the Cathedral and city square take a majority of the attention.
Sights & Activities
SIENA CATHEDRAL: The Siena Cathedral (or Duomo di Siena) was created in the early 1200’s. The facade is incredibly ornate and detailed, and as you step inside you see black and white stripes along the columns, representing the two symbolic colors of Siena. I would love to be able to describe it more but there’s just so much to look at and the photos below don’t do it any justice when you step inside. I didn’t the first time when I went with my class, but I did the second time I and it was such a great decision.
*It does cost money to go inside, but you can buy a “Siena Pass” for 8-12 euro depending on the time of year you go that’s valid for 3 days and will get you entry into the baptistry, crypt and and Opera Museum so if you have a little time there it is well worth it!
PIAZZA DEL CAMPO: The center of the city has so much to offer and is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site as of 1995. The palace in Palazzo Pubblico (where the tower is below) was built between 1297 and 1310 and is still home to the city’s municipal offices just like Palazzo Vecchio is in Florence. The tower, Torre del Mangia has 500 steps up and will give you a great view of Siena if you have the time! There are also plenty of little shops and restaurants to eat along the outskirts of the square.
PALIO: Piazza del Campo is home of Palio, the famous horse race around the square twice in the summer on July 2nd and August 16th. Although it only lasts about 90 seconds, crowds as large as 40,000 are packed into the small square and on every balcony possible (as seen in the James Bond film, Quantum of Solace). Ten horses representing ten of the 17 districts compete, so every year the 7 that didn’t take part the month of the year prior are included, and then three “repeats” from the remaining ten are drawn to see who will compete and the winning district gets no money, just a large silk banner because for them, the race is about glory and not about material prizes.
Food & Drink
RISTORANTE GUIDORICCIO: I only really have one place to recommend but when I came here for the first time with school, we found this little restaurant just behind the tower in the square. I got the gnocchi con pesto al dragoncello and it was incredible, as was the brushetta e crostini we got as an appetizer. The restaurant was small but had a great, real Italian atmosphere and was very reasonably priced – especially for being right by the square!
Best Kept Secrets
PORTA DEL CIELO: Also known as the Gate to Heaven in the Siena Chapel, you can see the inside of the Cathedral from above and visit areas that aren’t usually open to the public. The tour takes you through the Cathedral and you spend 45 minutes above the floor and 45 minutes on the floor. I unfortunately didn’t do this but had a few friends who did and said it was incredible so I figured I would throw it in here. If you want a detailed tour and a little more time to really take in all of the beautiful detail, this sounds like the tour for you!