This city is rich in historically artistic testimony, especially the medieval period with the Palio (a world famous event, particularly for the central horse race), its 17 contradas, its masterpieces of art and its historic centre which resembles a spread out museum.

Siena organizes hundreds of events each year, often of high quality, such as the summer music festival and large exhibitions. Even its craftsmanship, cuisine and wines are excellent. Since 1995, it has been one of UNESCO's heritage sites.

 

 

Siena and Dante:

Apart from Florence, Siena is the city most remembered by Dante, both directly and indirectly through various Siena figures, the episodes that feature them, the historical facts or events the Poet refers to. Even if there is no documented testimony of his stay in the city, there is no doubt that Dante knew Siena quite well, perhaps better than other Tuscan cities; his familiarity with Siena affairs must have been owing to the good political relationship with Florence it had at the time. Dante shows that he knew the city well, even in its details, things, facts, places. The Poet probably personally knew various Siena citizens there and elsewhere. The rhymer Benuccio Salimbene (husband of a Baldesca, daughter of Sapia) for example, and Cecco Angiolieri, with whom Dante had personal, direct relations.

Boccaccio and the Piccolomini tell us that Dante was in the habit of reading books at an apothecary near Piazza del Campo.

There are many Siena figures (or who lived and worked in Siena) who appear in the Divine Comedy: there are a few personages who lost their historical importance over time, while others remain in collective memory. Among the lesser known is a certain "LANO", probably a member of the Maconi family, who faced certain death in the battle of Pieve al Toppo near Arezzo in 1287, but also "ALBERO da Siena", considered by all to be Bishop Buonfigliolo's son, but the Bishop, for obvious reasons, claimed he was a nephew. One of the more famous Divine Comedy characters is "CAPOCCHIO", Dante's companion. We do not know exactly why this Capocchio betrayed the Poet's trust. We do know from acts that he was a money counterfeiter who was condemned to the stake. Better known is the business of the "SPENDTHRIFT BRIGADE", also called the "pleasure lovers". In the Divine Comedy, they are mentioned as a group of well-off youngsters from Siena who in short order spent everything they had on food, women and gambling. Even more well known was "GHINO DI TACCO" a highwayman and bandit, but with the airs of a gentleman. In addition, Dante wrote of PIA DE' TOLOMEI in Canto V of the Purgatorio: this part is famous mostly because of the mystery that surrounded the woman, recognised today as a gentlewoman, wife of Nello dei Pannocchieschi. In 1297, he apparently murdered his wife, throwing her from a window after sequestering her in his castle for a time, perhaps after discovering her never proven infidelity, perhaps to rid himself of her, seeking a new marriage.

 

 

The monuments:

Piazza del Campo, with the Palazzo Pubblico (home to the Town Hall and the Civic Museum with frescoes by Lorenzetti, Simone Martini, Duccio di Boninsegna, etc.) and the Torre del Mangia. We are in the Palio di Siena's monumental setting, a race known all over the world, running through the three famous streets that form a Y: Banchi di Sopra, Banchi di Sotto and Via di Città.

The Duomo, Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta: its imposing façade made of black and white marble. Inside is the famous Piccolomini Library, a true treasure chest of masterpieces: 4 sculptures by Michelangelo Buonarroti, the fresco by Pinturicchio, and on the altar the "Madonna and Child" by Jacopo della Quercia.

The Church of Saint Francis: a Gothic church with a single nave, the renovation of an ancient Romanesque church

The Medici Fortress: an imposing fortress now turned into a garden. A nice place to visit and bask in the sun. It has housed the Italian Enoteca for years.

Palazzo Salimbeni: one of the oldest palaces in Siena, dating from the 13th century, today the headquarters of Monte dei Paschi di Siena Bank. Palazzo Tolomei: an ancient palace from the 13th century, towering over the little Piazzetta di San Cristoforo; the palace has kept its 13th century lines with mullioned windows.