Siena
Chief Town
General Information
Other Name: -, District: NA, State: Tuscany, Italy
Area: 118 km²
Languages Spoken: Italian
Long Distance Code: -
Importance: -
Best Time to Visit: March to May and Sep-Oct
International Access: -Description
Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy.The historic centre of Siena has been declared by UNESCO a World Heritage Site.A wonderful city that is the home of some of the most precious medieval art and architectural treasures. Siena offers a never-ending number of cultural sights and interests for travelers: the unique “Palio” and wine tasting in the old wine bars, romantic walks along the narrow alleys and excursions outside the city in the Siena Chianti area and in Val’Orcia.Location
-Climate
Temperate Climate.
Caterina Benincasa became a nun in 1355, at the age of just eight. After receiving the stigmata, she gained a reputation for devout wisdom. Finally, in 1939 she was declared patron saint of Italy. The house of her birth became a sanctuary following her death. Today, the Casa di Santa Caterina remains a place of peace and repose. Beyond a small courtyard are stairs, which lead to Catherine''s cell. Other attractions include an oratory, as well as a church on the same site.
Siena''s Cathedrale di Santa Maria, or Duomo as it''s more popularly known, is a real treasure trove of Tuscan art. The 13th-century building on the site was designed by the famous Gothic architect, Pisano. A century later, work was started to make Siena''s cathedral as magnificent as St Peter''s in Rome.Today, tourists can see the walls of the uncompleted project, together with the original building and its many attractions. Visitors should look out for the distinctive exterior, the black-and-white tiled bell tower, some fine mosaics and an interesting crypt.
Siena is the embodiment of a medieval city. Throughout the centuries, they preserved their city''s Gothic appearance, acquired between the 12th and 15th centuries. During this period the work of Duccio, the Lorenzetti brothers and Simone Martini was to influence the course of Italian and, more broadly, European art. The whole city of Siena, built around the Piazza del Campo, was devised as a work of art that blends into the surrounding landscape.
The library is located inside the Duomo and is worthy of a visit. It was founded in 1495 by Pope Pius III to hold the collection of his uncle Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pope Pius II). The marble façade was designed by Marrina (1497) while all the perfectly preserved pictorial work was by Pinturicchio at the start of the 16th Century.
Built at the place where San Bernardini of Siena was said to have preached his first sermon, this oratory is located next to the Church of San Francesco. Visitors to the Oratorio di San Bernardino can expect to see some very fine frescoes dating from the 16th century.
This is really the heart and soul of the city, where everything happened and continues to happen. The magnificent architecture of the square, architecture that has been decorated and modified, but never altered in nature over the centuries, has grown from humble beginnings. The nine stone bands in the square commemorate the successful government dei Nove (Nine). Twice a year, the outer section of the square is covered with earth so the Palio , a bareback horse race, can be run.
This opulent palace was built for Pandolfo Petrucci, who ruled over Siena in the 16th century. He acquired the reputation of being something of a tyrant and eventually became one of the most powerful men in Italy. Today, the Palazzo del Magnifico stands as a fine example of grand Renaissance architecture and is an attraction that''s well worth including on any tour of Siena.
This has been an ongoing work par excellence. It was begun at the start of the 14th Century but additions have been made almost up until the present day. In addition, while some parts were being added, others were being restored. It is therefore a miracle that the unique Gothic lines of the stone and brick building have not been lost in the process. The Civic Museum inside holds the "Majesty" by Simone Martini. The Sala della Pace (Room of Peace) is the location of the "Allegory of Government" by Ambrogio Lorenzetti which is the largest non-religious pictorial cycle from all of the Middle Ages.
The national art gallery, one of the most fascinating museums in Tuscany, is located in Palazzo Buonsignori. It was opened to the public, having been donated by Niccolo Buonsignori. It holds works of great value such as the Madonna of the Franciscans by Duccio di Buoninsegna, as well as works by Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Francesco di Giorgio Martini. There is also the Nativity by Lorenzo Lotto, a genius who had the misfortune to cross paths with Titian whose brilliance eclipsed Lotto''s talent.
Not far from the town is this small church which is famous for its frescoes by Lippo Vanni and Giovanni di Paolo. It dates from the 12th Century and is on the top of a hill dominating a valley where there was once a lake. It was originally a hermitage but now it is abandoned and generally closed to the public. However, visitors can still admire the simple facade, decorated by a portal and a rose window, as well as the remains of the convent which has now been transformed into private accomodation.