Sights of the city of Siena in Italy: what to see first. Religious sights of Siena. Siena's special attraction

Siena (Italy) - the most detailed information about the city with a photo. The main attractions of Siena with descriptions, guides and maps.

City of Siena (Italy)

Shopping and shopping

Popular purchases in Siena are leather goods, gold, ties, tapestries and embroidery, fabrics. A huge market is held every Wednesday in the Fortezza Mediceana area from about 7.00 to 14.00. There are many shops in the center, including well-known international and European brands.

Food and drink

Tuscany is a famous gastronomic region with a special cuisine. In Siena, of course, you can find excellent restaurants and inexpensive trattorias and pizzerias with Tuscan and Italian cuisine. Traditional dishes: acquacotta (onion, vegetable, egg soup with olive oil and toasted bread), arista alla fiorentina (Florentine style pork with garlic and rosemary), bistecca alla fiorentina (fried steak), bruschetta (tomato and basil toast), castagnaccio (chestnut flour tortilla with rosemary, olive oil, ke wood nuts), panzanella (salad with rural bread, tomatoes, cucumbers and onions), fagioli all "uccelletto (beans with tomatoes and sage), ribollita (white beans, black cabbage and greens soup), trippa alla fiorentina (tomato sauce with grated parmesan), zuppa di farro (delicious soup with beans, chickpeas and tomatoes). Food usually accompanied by a glass of wine from the Chianti Valley.

Attractions

Piazza del Campo is a wide and spacious square, the heart of the old city. This is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, surrounded by the facades of historical palaces, among which the Palazzo Pubblico dominates. On the square is the Fonte Gaia fountain, restored in the 19th century. Piazza del Campo was founded in 1300 and has been the center of urban life for many centuries.

Palazzo Pubblico is a Gothic town hall built in the late 13th and early 14th century in travertine and brick. In the center of the first floor is the coat of arms of the Medici family, who ruled Siena in the 16th century as Grand Dukes of Tuscany. The interior of the Palazzo Pubblico has been remarkably preserved. Here you can look at ancient frescoes and visit the museum of the history of the city. The architectural dominant of the town hall is the high tower of Torre del Manja. It has a height of 102 meters, and in order to climb to its observation deck, you need to overcome 400 steps.

Santa Maria Assunta is a cathedral designed by Giovanni Pisano. It is considered one of the most beautiful examples of the Gothic style in Italy. The cathedral has a marble façade made of strips of marble of different colors. It houses more masterpieces and artistic treasures than many prestigious museums: works by Pisano, masterpieces by Donatello, Bernini and many others. One of the most unusual things about Siena is the unfinished façade of the cathedral, which in the 14th century was to expand the existing church and create a new nave, 100 meters long, leaving the original nave as the transept of this gigantic building.

The baptistery is located next to the cathedral. Built in 1325, it is one of the most important religious sites in Siena. Inside are ancient frescoes.

National Gallery - located within the walls of an elegant Gothic 15th century palazzo. Contains paintings by Sienese artists from the 12th to 16th centuries.

San Dominico is an austere brick building in the Cistercian Gothic style, built in the 13th century. In 1340, the Venetian bell tower was erected, which stands out in the architecture of the church.

San Francesco is a Gothic church, the construction of which was started by the Franciscan order in 1326 and continued until the 15th century. The bell tower was built in the 18th century. Adjacent to the church is the Oratorio di San Bernardino, built in the 15th century. The Franciscan monk Bernardino from Siena often preached here. The top floor features impressive frescoes from the 16th century.

Santa Maria della Scala is a church and ancient hospital built in the 13th century and radically rebuilt in the 15th century. Considered one of the first hospitals in Europe and one of the oldest in the world still in operation. On the main apse is a large 18th century fresco by Sebastian Conchi. On the altar, pay attention to the bronze Christ by Vecchietta. This is a masterpiece of Renaissance sculpture, which is compared with the works of the genius Donatello.

Monastery of St. Catherine was built on the site where the house of one of the most revered saints of the Roman Catholic Church stood. Catherine was born in Siena and was the daughter of a local dyer.

Santa Maria degli Servi is a Romanesque-Gothic church located in the southeastern part of the old town of Siena. It was built in the 13th century and then rebuilt in the 15th and 16th centuries. The interior of the church is decorated with several interesting works of art. Nearby are the imposing Porta Romano, the ancient city gates.

Salimbeni is a Gothic palace on the square of the same name, which is formed by the facades of three historical buildings. The square itself was a palace garden until the 18th century. The Palazzo Salimbeni houses the head office of the Monte dei Pasci di Siena bank, one of the oldest in Italy, founded in 1472.

The sights of Siena are interesting because many houses, palaces and temples have been preserved in their original form. Many of them were even pardoned by the bombings of the Second World War, which destroyed many architectural masterpieces. That is why there is no doubt that every stone in the historical part of the city, every house and temple is not the skillful work of restorers, but a real medieval rarity that has come down to us through the centuries.

Siena is the administrative center of the province (Toscana). Located in the northwest of (Roma), the capital of Italy, 184 km in a straight line. On geographical map it can be found at the following coordinates: 43°19′07″ north latitude, 11°19′54″ east longitude.

The area of ​​Siena is 118 km2, and consists of seventeen contradas (districts), each of which bears the name of an animal, has its own coat of arms and legend. The historical center is located at 6 km2. Since the Middle Ages, the city has retained the appearance of inaccessibility due to the surrounding walls and hills. The narrow streets of Siena are almost devoid of vegetation, but breathing is easy due to the fact that the center is closed to cars.

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central square

- This Piazza del Campo, built at the point where the three hills that Siena sits meet. It is distinguished from other squares by its unique shape: during the arrangement of Piazza del Campo, it was given the shape of a shell, the circumference of which is 333 m.

The area owes a lot to such an original solution to the rain streams, which, descending from the hills, formed a kind of relief. Also, during the arrangement of the square, the authorities made sure that the buildings did not violate its plan. So, the Basilica of Peter and Paul (chiesa dei Santi Pietro e Paolo) was demolished only because it protruded a little in comparison with the houses of the local aristocracy.

The first documented information about Piazza del Campo appeared in 1169, when it became necessary to put in order the area where the square is now located. At first, it was a single unit with the nearby Piazza del Mercato. But after a while, a wall was erected between them to hold back the convergence of rain flows.

Until the end of the XIII century. there was a bazaar on the square, fairs were held. In 1287, when the era of the "Tyranny of the Nine" began (the city was ruled by nine people, representatives of trading corporations), a need arose for a new mayor's office.

The construction of the Palace of the Commune (Palazzo Pubblico) on the square was the beginning of the emergence of other important institutions for the city. themselves famous buildings here are the Tower of the Glutton (Torre del Mangia), the Chapel di Piazza (Cappella di Piazza), the Fountain of Joy (Fonte Gaia), the Sansedoni Palace (Palazzo Sansedoni), the chapel (Cappella di Piazza).

(Palazzo Pubblico) is the central building of Campo Square. Previously, the old city building "Bolgano" (palazzo del Bolgano) was located here, which was decided to be expanded and rebuilt. So, if at first the main facade of the house faced Piazza del Mercat, after the reconstruction the front side of the city hall turned out to be in the opposite direction.

Although the end of construction dates back to the 14th century, after three hundred years it was decided to expand the Palace of the Commune by completing the side parts. At the same time, the facade was decorated.

During the construction of Palazzo Pubblico, the architects repeated the curve of the square. The central part has four floors and one tier above the side wings. In the center of the fourth floor there is a white circle on which the monogram of Christ is depicted. The roof of the building is a bit like a fortress: it has rectangular battlements.

The first floor is faced with white stone, the upper floors are finished with brick. Each window consists of three parts, which are framed by two small columns and three lancet arches. Above each of them is a vaulted arch, decorated with the coat of arms of Siena. To the numerous holes that are visible on all the walls of the town hall, scaffolding was once attached.

Palazzo Pubblico served for a long time as the city administration, which occupied all the rooms of the palace. Now the city hall is located only on the second tier. Below is the City Museum (Il Museo civico), where frescoes and other creations of local masters are kept. In the near future, the museum is planned to be equipped on the third tier. In addition to the museum, at the bottom of the town hall in the Great Council Hall is the Rinnovati Theater (Teatro dei Rinnovati).

The Tower of the Glutton (Torre del Mangia) closely adjoins the Palace of the Commune and is located on its left side. So strangely, the townspeople named the building in honor of the first guard of the sights, Giovanni di Balduccio. He was known for his indefatigable appetite, and therefore spent all his money on various delicacies.

Torre del Mangia is one of the tallest towers of the Middle Ages: if you take into account lightning rods, its height is 102 m. You can climb to the observation deck, which is located at a height of 88 m, by overcoming four hundred steps. From here you have a magnificent view of the surroundings.

The construction dates back to the first half of the 14th century: the tower began to be erected in 1338 and completed ten years later. To protect the attraction from thunder, hurricane and other misfortunes, happy moments and stones with protective inscriptions written in Latin and Hebrew were laid in the foundation of the building. In addition, during construction, the building was positioned so that its sides were clearly oriented to the west, south, north or east.

The bell appeared in the belfry in 1349. But its sound quality was not the best, so in 1634 it was replaced. But the new alarm left much to be desired, which is why thirty years later it was replaced by a bell, which is still in the bell tower today. Because of large sizes(and it weighs a little more than 6.5 tons), the townspeople installed it above the belfry. True, its sound is uneven, and depends on where the tongue of the bell strikes.

For several decades, the watchman beat the bell. Then, first a wooden mechanism appeared on the bell tower, then an automatic mechanism, which still announces the time. The bell itself sounds only on special holidays.

In 1360, a clock appeared on the tower. The dial was depicted on the tower half a century later, and at the end of the 18th century. it was carved from stone and decorated with a fresco with a canopy (they were lost in the 20th century after restoration).

Chapel di Piazza

Chapel di Piazza (cappella di Piazza) is located on the first floor of the Glutton Tower. It is lined with white marble, effectively standing out against the background of the terracotta tower. Made in the Gothic style.

The construction of the chapel began in 1352, dedicating the Mother of God e, thanks to which the bubonic plague left Siena, which claimed the lives of many citizens (it happened in 1348).

The construction lasted for two decades, and was completed in 1376. After some time, the facade was decorated with sculptures, a canopy in the Renaissance style. In the XVI century. in the chapel there was a fresco by Giovanni Antonio Bazzi (Giovanni Antonio Bazzi), depicting the baby Jesus, the Mother of God and God the Father. Now the fresco is stored in the museum of the town hall.

The most notable private building in the square is the Sansedoni Palace (Palazzo Sansedoni). There is a house opposite the City Hall to the right of the Fountain of Joy.

The terracotta-colored building, built in the Gothic style, appeared here at the end of the 13th century. by order of Goro Sansedoni. For this purpose, five aristocratic houses located here were united. In the center of the composition is a high tower, which in the XVIII century. after the earthquake, it was greatly shortened due to fear that it might collapse.

Between the 17th and 18th centuries the house was restored, expanded, but the facade retained its features: its arcuate curve repeats the shape of Piazza del Campo. Interior spaces were redesigned, decorated with statues, frescoes. A chapel dedicated to Ambrogio Sansedoni, a monk who lived in the 12th century, has been preserved.

Now it houses the offices of the bank Fondazione Banca Monte dei Paschi.

The Fountain of Joy (Fonte Gaia) is located opposite the City Hall. It does not immediately catch the eye, and looks more like a pool lined with white marble, which can be clearly seen only from one side of the square. The fact is that the fountain is fenced on three sides with marble walls. They are decorated with bas-reliefs depicting biblical scenes, as well as the Virgin Mary with the baby Jesus. Two women can be seen on the front pilasters. One of them gave birth to Romulus and Remus (Romulus and Remus), the founders of Rome, the other raised (according to legend, Siena was founded by the son of Rem, Senius).

Fonte Gaia appeared at the beginning of the 15th century. and was originally intended as a pool for collecting water, which was brought here from underground channels.

It fills with water that flows from tubes clamped in the mouths of she-wolves.(they are located on the sides of the bowl). Special attention tourists are attracted by the clear bluish water splashing in the pool. The fountain owes its name to the joy that seized the townspeople when they saw water spouting from the ground here.

In the 19th century statues and panels were replaced with copies, and the pool itself was surrounded by a fence. Now the original elements of the fountain are stored in the Museum of the Santa Maria della Scala Hospital (Complesso museale di Santa Maria della Scala).

Churches

The main and most luxurious temple of Siena is the Cathedral (Duomo di Siena), which is located on the Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo). The rest of the temples look more ascetic, but are also interesting, because the most famous artists, architects, and sculptors of Italy worked on them.

(Сattedrale di Santa Maria Assunta or Duomo di Siena) is the main church of the city, built on Cathedral Square. In ancient times, there was a temple here. The Romans demolished it and built a fortress, on the sides of which they equipped four towers. One of them was converted into a belfry during the construction of the Duomo di Siena. Before the beginning of the X century. here was the residence of the bishop.

The construction of the attraction began in 1220 and lasted a century and a half. In terms of the temple - a Latin cross. The front facade is lined with white marble, decorated with sculptural compositions. It is a successful combination of different Gothic styles. The lower part of the temple is Roman, the upper part is late, the portals are French. The mosaics at the top of the church appeared in the 19th century. Above the central portal there is a huge round rose window, along the edges of which there are sculptures of prophets and apostles. On the sides of the window, on the right and left sides of the building, there are beautifully decorated galleries.

The back facade and side walls are faced with white marble slabs with horizontal inserts of dark green marble. A twelve-sided dome rises above the crossroads, which is decorated with images of saints from the inside.

From the painting of the walls of the temple it is impossible to take your eyes off. The altar of the temple consists of three niches: at the bottom there are sculptures of the apostles of the work (Michelangelo), on the top - the sculpture of Jacopo della Quercia (Jacopo della Quercia) "Madonna and Child". In the left nave is the Piccolomini Library (Biblioteca Piccolomini).

tower old fortress it was converted into a belfry in 1333. Its height was 77 m. Like the outer walls of the temple, the bell tower is lined with white-green lines. The belfry has six rows of windows, the size of which increases with each successive tier (the narrowest at the bottom). A spire crowns the bell tower.

Crypt

The crypt of the Cathedral (Cripta del Duomo di Siena) is located on its territory. Despite the name, the relics are not stored here, although it is believed that the temple does indeed have a crypt that has not yet been discovered.

Presumably, the crypt appeared at the end of the XIII century. and was walled up during the expansion of the temple. That is why its presence remained a secret until 1999, when the crypt was discovered during restoration work. Here you can see a complete cycle of frescoes of the XIII century, which adorned the temple that was located here before the construction of the cathedral. They are distinguished by bright colors and well-preserved images of saints.

The Baptistery of St. John the Baptist (Battistero di San Giovanni) stands near the Cathedral. In order not to spoil the impression of the baptistery, it is better to visit it before visiting the Duomo di Siena. The attraction is located on Piazza San Giovanni.

The baptistery was built in 1325, and starting that year, all the townspeople, both aristocrats and commoners, were baptized here. Although the top floor of the attraction was never completed, the facade is a Gothic masterpiece. Like the Cathedral, it is lined with white marble with dark green bets, decorated with floral and geometric elements. Three portals lead to the building.

The hexagonal font was created in 1430 from marble and bronze. Its panels are decorated with bas-reliefs and sculptures by Donatello, Lorenzo Ghiberti, Giovanni di Turino, Jacopo della Quercia.

Frescoes adorned the building in the middle of the 15th century. Vekchietta (Il Vecchietta), Michele di Matteo Lambertini (Michele di Matteo Lambertini), Benvenuto di Giovanni (Benvenuto di Giovanni), Piero Orioli (Pietro degli Orioli) worked on them.

Now the attraction is part of the Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana. Paid entrance.

The Basilica of St. Dominic (Basilica di San Domenico) is located on Piazza San Domenico, 300 meters from Piazza del Campo. The attraction is located on a hill, and is clearly visible from many points of the city. And from the observation deck you can see the city center, including the Cathedral.

The church was founded by the Dominicans in 1226 and took two hundred years to build. The building is entirely made of red brick. Outside, it looks very ascetic, being an example of strictly Gothic architecture, which was typical for the buildings of mendicant orders. The bell tower appeared in the XIV century, but two centuries later it was damaged during an earthquake, after which it became lower.

You can only get into the church from the side, since the main facade is missing. Inside the temple is a richly decorated chapel. Here, behind a lattice glass, the head and finger of St. Catherine (Caterina Benincasa), who lived at the temple for most of her life, is kept. Therefore, there are many pilgrims in the church, and on its walls you can see paintings depicting episodes from the life of Caterina Benincasa.

The Basilica of St. Francis (Basilica di San Francesco) is located on Piazza San Francesco, half a kilometer from Piazza del Campo. It is better to see the temple before visiting the Cathedral, otherwise it will not impress: gothic building looks simple and ascetic.

The basilica was built in the middle of the XIII century. outside the city walls. In the city, she was only two hundred years later. The basilica was repeatedly expanded, completed and rebuilt. In the 18th century a bell tower appeared near it. The neo-Gothic façade appeared at the end of the 19th century.

The "Eucharistic miracle of Siena" is kept in the chapel of the temple. These are two hundred consecrated prosphora (liturgical liturgical bread) that were stolen in 1730. Some time later they were found in the church of Chiesa di Santa Maria di Provenzano and returned to the church of St. Francis. They say that the prosphora is still fresh.

The Osservanza Basilica (Basilica dell'Osservanza) is built on top of the Colle della Capriola hill. It is on the outskirts of Siena, in the northeast of the city. The church is one of the most important temples of the city, which are located outside the city walls.

The temple was built in 1490 on the site of an old skete of the 12th century. Dedicated to Saint Bernardino of Siena (Bernardino da Siena), who died half a century earlier and lived on this hill. Five years later, the temple was expanded by order of Pandolfo Petrucci, who decided to make a family crypt here, and at the same time to equip the monastery.

During the siege of Siena in 1554, the monastery complex was completely destroyed, but the townspeople quickly restored it. In the twenties of the last century, the attraction underwent reconstruction. At the end of the Second World War, after the bombing of the temple, ruins remained. The complex was restored ten years later according to the drawings provided by the monks. Therefore, the temple has the same appearance as before the war.

Museums

Siena has a lot of museums. Many of them are located in the Cathedral Square area, as well as Piazza del Campo. Although the museum card is not valid in the city, you can save money. The fact is that combined tickets are popular in Siena, with which you can visit several expositions at once, which in the end will cost less.

That is why before buying a ticket to a particular museum, you need to ask at the box office about the availability of such an opportunity. For example, a ticket purchased to visit the Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana also allows you to see the Cathedral, the crypt and the baptistery.

When visiting the museum, if you do not want to book an excursion, you should ask if there is an audio guide. This will make the visit more interesting.

The City Museum (Museo Civico) is located at the bottom of the Communal Palace, on Piazza del Campo. It appeared in the thirties of the last century.

Museum visitors can see the halls of the old town hall, decorated with famous Sienese. This is the Globe Hall (Sala del Consiglio), where the Council of the Republic of Siena once met. The name was given to it by a spinning disc with a map of the republic that was kept here earlier. The Hall of Nine, where meetings of this government took place, will also be of interest.

In the museum you can not only trace the history of Siena, but also get acquainted with the creations of famous Sienese masters. Above the frescoes that adorn the walls of the town hall, worked Simone Martini (Simone Martini) and Ambrogio Lorenzetti (Ambrogio Lorenzetti). The frescoes are interesting because most of them depict non-religious themes. The paintings tell about the various methods of governing the city, which can lead to its prosperity or decline.

Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana

Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana is located at Piazza del Duomo, 8. It is better to visit it after visiting the Cathedral, which is located on the same square.

Many original items are stored here, copies of which are exhibited in the Duomo di Siena. There are also copies of statues and mosaics that adorn the cathedral. Thanks to this, they can be clearly seen close up, which is impossible to do in the temple.

The halls of the museum contain marble statues of Donatello, Jacopo della Quercia, Francesco di Giorgio Martini. Of particular note is the altarpiece La Maestà by Duccio di Buoninsegna. It took the artist three years to make this masterpiece. At the same time, he concluded a special contract with the city, according to which he was not limited in expenses, but he had to work on La Maestà alone, without an assistant.

In addition to church attributes, art objects, in the halls of the museum you can see household items of the local aristocracy. Among them are carpets, tapestries, tablecloths, handmade curtains.

From the museum you can climb the unfinished facade of the new Cathedral (the building, grandiose in scale, was supposed to replace the old temple, but because of the plague and the decline of the city, it was never completed). From the top there is a magnificent view of the square and the surrounding area. This is the advantage of the museum over the cathedral, on the bell tower of which there is no observation deck. You can leave the museum through a beautifully decorated little baroque church.

To visit the museum, it is better to purchase a combined ticket. It will cost less and will also allow you to see the cathedral, the baptistery, the crypt.

The Santa Maria della Scala Hospital Museum (Complesso museale di Santa Maria della Scala) is located at Piazza del Duomo, 2. The exposition is located in the ninth century hospital-shelter, intended for the poor. It was called Ospedale di Santa Maria della Scala.

The museum on the territory of 13 thousand m2 was opened in 1995. It is very unusual and diverse, each room is different: here are frescoes, here is a chapel, there are the relics of saints. A little further - underground labyrinths, then halls, narrow corridors. The large hall of the former hospital is decorated with frescoes dating back to the 15th century, depicting the daily life of the orphanage. The center of the composition is the church of the Holy Annunciation (Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata), located at the hospital, built in the XIII century.

In addition, on its territory is the National Archaeological Museum of Siena (Museo Archeologico di Siena). You can also look at contemporary art.

To visit the museum, it is cheaper to take a combined ticket. It will allow you to visit a few more attractions.

The National Pinacoteca (Pinacoteca Nazionale) is located on Via San Pietro, 29. The exposition will appeal to people who are fond of medieval religious painting. There are many icons and paintings on a Christian theme, and only on the fourth floor you can see secular paintings.

The exposition is housed in two palaces, Palazzo Brigidi and Buonsignori (palazzi Brigidi e Buonsignori). The appearance of the first refers to the XIV century, the second - the XV century. The Pinakothek was opened here in 1932. The exposition is based on a collection of paintings by Abbe Giuseppe Ciaccheri(Giuseppe Ciaccheri), who lived at the end of the XVIII century. After that, she was replenished with canvases that were presented to the city by noble citizens. Almost all the exhibits of the museum are the creations of the painting school of Siena of the 13th-17th centuries, occasionally you can see the canvas of the 18th century.

On the fourth floor there is a collection of Spannocchi, which ended up in the museum in 1977. Here are the works of Flemish, Dutch, German and northern Italian painters. In the same year, a hall of sculptures by masters of the 14th-15th centuries was opened in the Pinakothek.

Torture Museum

The Museum of Torture (Museo della Tortura) is not for the faint of heart. That's why It is not recommended to bring children here. It is located a few meters from Piazza del Campo, at the bottom of the square on Chiasso del Bargello, 6.

Here are about two hundred types of torture instruments, which are located on two floors. There are few tormented bodies, so it doesn’t make a particularly bad impression. But nevertheless, several fake tortured bodies, human skeletons and skulls are exhibited for clarity. Information about the history of the exhibits is presented in Italian and English. You can also book a tour.

At home

There are a lot of interesting palaces and houses in Siena. Among them stands out the house where St. Catherine, the patroness of Siena, lived in her childhood, the house where the city council met before the appearance of Palazzo Pubblico, as well as a commercial loggia. Despite the fact that it is unlikely to be able to get inside this attraction, it makes a stunning impression from the outside. The Medici fortress, which was built by the Florentines as a symbol of their final conquest of Siena, will also attract attention.

The house of Saint Catherine (Santuario cateriniano), the patroness of Siena, can be found on Costa di Sant'Antonio. Now it is a whole complex, which consists of loggias, galleries, arcades, chapels.

She was born in the second half of the 14th century, and lived in this house until she was tonsured. In 1466, the city bought the house and built a sanctuary here, which includes several chapels built on the site of a dye-works, a kitchen and other premises.

A chapel was equipped in the dyehouse, which later transformed into the Church of the Crucifixion (La chiesa del Crocifisso). Services are still held here. The walls of the temple are decorated with frescoes depicting paintings from the life of Catherine. Also here you can see a statue of a saint carved from wood.

Near the upper chapel, which was once the kitchen, and is now the front of the Church of the Crucifixion, are the orators' chambers (Oratorio della Camera). Near them is the saint's room, where some of her personal belongings are kept. A stone ledge can be seen on the floor, which she used as a pillow.

The Chigi-Saracini Palace (Palazzo Chigi-Saracini) can be found on Via di Citta’ 89. This is a building XII, which appeared by order of the influential family Marescotti (Marescotti). On the left side of the attraction you can see the tower, which in the Middle Ages signaled the financial well-being of the family. In the courtyard of the palace there is a well, a chapel, a portico, decorated with various paintings.

Before the advent of Palazzo Pubblico, the Council of the Republic of Siena met here. In the XVI century. The house was bought by the Piccolomini del Mandolo family. Two hundred years later, it was in the possession of the Saracini family, after which the building was expanded, and the facade acquired a curved shape that repeated the curve of the street.

At the end of the XIX century. the house was inherited by Fabio Chigi. In 1932, Count Guido Chigi Saracini established the Academy of Chigiana Music inside the building, where students from all over the world study.

Within the walls of the Academy there is a museum where paintings by famous Italian artists and sculptors are kept. Among them you can see the creations of Sandro Botticelli (Sandro Botticelli), Sassetta (Il Sassetta), Domenico Beccafumi (Domenico di Giacomo di Pace Beccafumi). Also here you can see jewelry and ceramics, a collection of musical instruments.

The trading loggia (Loggia della Mercanzia) can be found near Piazza del Campo, at the place where three streets intersect: Banchi di Sopra, Via di Citta, Banchi di Sotto. The commercial court used to sit here. Since the 18th century here is a closed club Circolo degli Uniti, so it's hard to get inside.

The loggia appeared at the beginning of the 15th century, and therefore combined elements of the Gothic and the Renaissance. The house itself is located behind the fence, which is a wide high arches connected by a lattice fence. The pillars between them are decorated with various bas-reliefs, statues of saints, patrons of Siena, as well as Peter and Paul. The vaults of the loggia are decorated with stucco and frescoes, the appearance of which dates back to the 16th century. The second floor appeared in the XVIII century. There are two benches made of marble in the courtyard in front of the house. One is decorated with reliefs signaling virtues, the other is decorated with famous Romans.

The Medici fortress (Fortezza Medicea) is known as the Fortress of St. Barbarians (Forte di Santa Barbara). The attraction is located on Piazza della Libertà, 800 meters from Piazza del Campo.

The citadel is a symbol of the end of the Republic of Siena and the final conquest of the city by the Florentines. The order for its construction was given in 1561 by the ruler (Firenze) (Cosimo I de’ Medici). The place of construction was not chosen by chance: used to be here spanish fortress, which the townspeople had destroyed a few years before. The citadel was completed in 1563.

The result was a powerful brick structure of a rectangular shape. Its width from the outer side was 200 m, length - 270 m. Bastions rose in the corners. Three of them bear the coat of arms of the new owner of Siena. Platforms were also equipped to allow heavy artillery to be fired from cover.

At the end of the XVIII century. Fortezza Medicea was disarmed. In 1937, a city garden was arranged on the territory of the fort, walking along which you can admire the city and its surroundings.

The citadel itself has become a museum: temporary exhibitions are often held within its walls, a library and an audio archive are located. Also here is the Siena Jazz Association (associazione Siena Jazz), which constantly holds concerts and lectures for musicians. In the dungeons of the fortress there is a shop where you can taste and, if you wish, buy expensive wines.

Rinnovati Theater

The Rinnovati Theater (Teatro dei Rinnovati) is the largest theater in Siena.: it is designed for 549 seats. The temple of Melpomene is located on the first floor of Palazzo Pubblico, on Piazza del Campo.

The history of the Teatro dei Rinnovati began in 1536, when King Charles V (Carlo V) decided to organize a major celebration in the city. There was no theater in Siena then, and therefore it was decided to equip it in one of the halls of the town hall, setting up a stage and equipping the seats. A hundred years later, the hall underwent a significant reconstruction: 107 boxes were equipped in it.

In 1742 the theater burned down, was rebuilt and reopened ten years later. But a year later, a fire again destroyed a significant part of the hall. This time, the work did not last long, and the theater was reopened to the public in the summer of 1753.

The disasters of the Melpomene temple did not end there: the earthquake of 1798 severely damaged it. This was the reason that the club of aristocrats l'Accademia degli Intronati, to which the theater belonged, sold it to the Rinnovati Academy - and the hall was restored. In the 19th century the room was reconstructed more than once (the royal box, stage, dressing rooms were redone, the decor was updated).

In 1927 the Rinnovati theater was closed and sold to the city. Ten years later, robots began to protect the building from fire. During World War II, the restoration was suspended, but resumed after the war.

The opening of the theater in 1950 was timed to the week of music in Siena. After that, it never closed again.

City fortifications

The walls of Siena (Mura di Siena) are a defensive circular fortification, consisting of walls, towers and bastions that surround the medieval part of Siena. That's why get in historical Center through multiple portals.

The townspeople built the defensive walls of Siena over several centuries (VIII-XV centuries) in five stages, as the inhabitants increased. Mura di Siena has one peculiarity: usually, as the city grew, new walls were erected around the old ones, taking them into a ring, and then dismantling them. Here, additional sections were simply added to the already existing walls, which surrounded the new part of the city without destroying the old line of fortifications. Many walls, as well as the gates leading to Siena, have survived to this day.

parks

Medieval Siena has very little vegetation. But not far from the center you can find several parks where you can have a good rest in nature. This Botanical Garden, All'Orto de'Pecci, giardini la Liza, giardini Publici.

All'Orto de'Pecci

You can relax from the bustle of the city in All’Orto de’ Pecci, the entrance to which is located on Via di Porta Giustizia, 39, a five-minute walk from Piazza del Campo. It's small and cozy garden, where peacocks, donkeys, goats roam in summer.

You can’t organize a picnic here (it’s monitored), but you can visit an inexpensive restaurant. Two pizzas, two beers and a cola will cost 22 euros here. True, in the season it is completely packed and there may not be a free table. Opens from the garden beautiful view on the historical center, first of all, the Obzhora tower and the city hall are clearly visible.

Botanical Garden

The Botanical Garden of Siena (Orto Botanico dell'Università di Siena) entrance fee. Therefore, he received a lot of criticism from tourists who, having paid 5 euros, found him somewhat unkempt. Nevertheless, lovers of exotic flora will like it here.

Here you can see insectivorous plants, rare flowers, a rock garden, a fern forest. At the entrance to the park there are two pools with aquatic plants.

The Botanical Garden covers an area of ​​2.5 hectares. Main entrance located in Via Pier Andrea Mattioli, 4, half a kilometer from the Cathedral. Open daily.

A botanical garden appeared in Siena in 1588, when, on the initiative of the local university, medicinal plants began to be grown near the hospital of Santa Maria della Scala.

Two centuries later, the botanists began to lack the territory, and it was decided to move the garden to its current location. Already in the first report published on the work of the garden, it was reported that there were nine hundred species of flora with different corners planets. For plants that did not suit the local climate, special greenhouses were equipped.

What is Palio

One of the most interesting events that take place in Siena is the Palio races (Il Palio), in which seventeen contrades of Siena participate. To this end, Piazza del Campo is covered with sand along the perimeter, which is removed at the end of the jump. A costumed parade is organized before the competition.

10 out of 17 concards take part in the Palio. To determine which of them will participate in the races, representatives of the districts draw lots before the competition. Interestingly, during the races, the horses are not the main ones, but the horses: even if the jockey fell, and the horse continued to run and won, he won. Sienese riders are rare: jockeys from other cities are invited to participate in the Palio.

Competitions are held twice a year. For the first time - July 2 in honor of the Madonna of Provenzano, who saved Siena from the invaders. The second act takes place on August 16, in honor of the Ascension of the Virgin. Sometimes, for some special occasion (transition to a new century, anniversary of the unification of Italy), additional races are organized.

How to get there

Although Siena is located in the center of Tuscany and there are many attractions, it is located away from the main tourist routes. Therefore, the nearest airports that serve domestic and international lines are located an hour or two from the city. But there is a bus station where international buses arrive, as well as a railway station where regional trains arrive.

• See instructions:

Airplane

Nine kilometers from Siena there is a small airport "Siena Ampugnano", but passenger aircraft they do not fly here: it is mainly used for private and business flights. That's why, to get to Siena, you need to take a plane ticket that flies to Florence or (Pisa). You can also drive from Rome (), but the road will take two hours: along the highway, the distance between cities is 268 km.

The distance between Florence and Siena is 80 km. This is an hour drive by car, we recommend that you arrange a rental in advance at

From L’Aeroporto di Firenze-Peretola airport, you need to get by minibus to the Santa Maria Novella railway station (Stazione di Firenze Santa Maria Novella) and take a train ticket. Better on a straight line, but if it doesn’t work out, then you need to change at the Empoli station. Near railway station, on via Santa Caterina da Siena, 15, there is a bus station. Here you can buy a bus ticket that goes directly to Siena.

The railway station (La stazione di Siena) is located in piazza Carlo Rosselli, 2.5 km from Piazza del Campo. Trains come here from different parts of Tuscany. For example, from Florence you can get here in an hour and a half.

You can find more information about the train schedule here: www.e656.net/orario/stazione/siena. In this case, you should pay attention that in the upper left corner you need to click on one of the four windows, which indicates the time of the approximate departure of trains: 00-06, 06-12, 12-18, 18-24.

There is no direct communication with Rome. That is why you need to go with a change at the station (Grosseto) or Chiusi - Chianciano Terme (Chiusi-Chianciano Terme).

The railway station of Siena is located at a distance of two kilometers from the center, so you can walk (the walk will take half an hour). It is also possible to wait for the bus that goes to Piazza Antonio Gramsci or take a taxi (about eight euros).

Bus

From here, a ten minute walk to the Cathedral. In appearance, the bus station is more like a bus station: there are several platforms, closer to the city center - a scoreboard. In the middle is an elevator that takes you down to the ticket office. You can also get to them by crossing the road and going down the stairs.

Here you can buy bus tickets to another city, which will need to be stamped at the entrance to the bus. Tickets are not sold on the bus itself.
If you are going to use the bus when traveling to another city, you should keep in mind that although officially it arrives faster than the train, if it gets stuck in a traffic jam, the arrival may be significantly late. Therefore, if a business meeting is planned, it is better to give preference to the train.

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The Italian city of Siena (sometimes pronounced and written as Siena, which is actually closer to the original pronunciation in Italian) is one of the most famous and most visited by tourists cities in Italy. This time we arrived in Siena on a normal day and had the opportunity to get to know the city better. Last time, apart from that, we didn't see anything at all.

Siena has existed since the time of the Etruscans, the most beautiful and interesting city is full of sights and events. There is evidence that a settlement on this site was already in the 9th century BC.

The legend says that Siena was founded by Senius and Askim, the sons of Rem, one of the famous twins fed by the Capitoline she-wolf. The city on a hill in Tuscany, where the brothers took refuge, was named after Senia. The coat of arms of Siena depicts Romulus and Remus being fed by a she-wolf.

In the Middle Ages, Siena flourished and was the capital of the powerful Republic of Siena. The masterpieces of architecture created at that time have been perfectly preserved and today are under the protection of UNESCO.

After the plague in 1348, when the city lost most of its inhabitants, Siena lost its power.

The area of ​​the Old Town in Siena is called Fontebranda. There is an unthinkable number of churches, the inspection of which will take more than one day.

The highest place in the city is the cathedral square (Piazza del Duomo), where the famous Siena Cathedral is located.

The streets of Siena are always very busy. Boutiques are located on the first floors of the buildings; tourists actively combine shopping with sightseeing.

All streets in Siena lead to Piazza del Campo - the main square of the city, which has an unusual shape, reminiscent of a shell sash.

The square is considered the first ensemble in Europe, created as the center of the social life of the city. A special decree of 1297 prescribed that the windows of buildings overlooking the square should be decorated in the same way.

On Piazza del Campo there is a magnificent building made of brick and white travertine - the Publico Palace (palazzo Publico), built in the 14th century, which now houses the city municipality. The facade of the building is unique and has a concave shape. Tourists are allowed to enter the palace, on the ground floor there is a theater and a museum. We left this for next time.

Next time, we will certainly climb the Tower of Gluttony (Torre del Mangia), so called in memory of its first ringer, Giovanni di Balduccio, who became famous for his love of food. The inhabitants of Siena called di Duccio "mangiaguadagni" (eating earned money). Sometimes the tower is also called the Tower of the Glutton. The tower is considered to bring good luck to the city, because according to the traditions of that time, coins were embedded in its base. On the corners of the Tower of Gluttony there are inscriptions in Latin and Hebrew, which are designed to protect it from lightning. However, the inscriptions are not trusted too much, a huge lightning rod is also installed on the tower.

Proud Sienese always indicate the height of the tower of gluttony with a lightning rod (to make it higher) - 102 meters, this is officially the second highest medieval tower in Italy (although the first is a reconstruction, and it can not be counted at all). It is advised to visit the tower closer to sunset to see Siena in golden light.

Since 1240, the University of Siena has existed, which makes the city forever young, because it is always full of students from all over the world who study science in the evenings, sitting right on the pavement of Piazza del Campo.

Siena is famous for its Palio races, which we visited a few years ago. This time we saw only the banners of the victorious contrado left after the races. Scarves with the symbols of contrade are sold in Siena on every corner.

I have been trying to buy such a scarf for a long time, but I can’t choose which one I like best ...

And in Siena, there are very beautiful painted ceramics, which are sold on every corner. And in Siena, amazing sweets are prepared according to old recipes, which we gorged ourselves on in the Nannini confectionery. And in Siena, palaces are on every corner ... And also ...

There are many different museums in Siena, this time we came across a museum of torture, but we didn’t go inside. This is the place where I don’t want to visit at all, although tourists always flock to such museums in droves ...

Surely in Siena there are a lot of much more interesting things that we don’t know yet.

Siena for us is a place where we constantly return for new discoveries, so we don’t say goodbye.

Senius fled from the persecution of Romulus, who killed Remus, and found shelter in these parts. Since then, the Roman she-wolf has become the symbol of Siena.
The picturesque territories were liked by the Etruscans, who founded their city here. Later, the Romans conquered it, founding a colony under the emperor Octavian Augustus. Saena lulia.
The road leading through Siena to Rome contributed to the development of commercial and trade relations. In the X century the city became an important center. In the following centuries, Siena grew, new buildings were built, profitable alliances were concluded. The city has always been in excellent relations with the Papal States, which had a good effect on the economic situation. The only obstacle to the further prosperity of Siena was a strong neighbor in the person of the eternal rival Florence.
In the XII century, Tuscany was torn apart by a showdown between the Guelphs and the Ghibellines. And Siena also became a theater of war and intrigue.
The XIII century brought the maximum peak of the cultural and economic development of the city.
But in 1348, a terrible plague broke out, which mowed down most of the population. From this blow, the Republic of Siena could not recover, its slow decline began.
In 1472, the oldest operating bank in Italy and the world, Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, was established in Siena.
April 21, 1555 was the last day of the Republic of Siena. For more than a year, Siena was under a state of siege, but due to hunger, she was forced to surrender to Florence and become part of the Duchy of Tuscany.
In 1624, the University was opened in Siena, which is considered one of the oldest in Italy.
In 1737, Jean Gaston de Medici died, he left no heirs, and power passed to the House of Habsburg-Lorraine.
1799-1800 went down in history as the Napoleonic period.
In 1859, Siena became part of the united Italy, becoming the first Tuscan city to join the young state.

Most of the buildings and structures in Siena date back to the 12th-14th centuries. Duccio, the brothers Lorenzetti and Simone Martini decorated the streets with beautiful architectural structures. In the 15th century, when the role of Siena became less significant, and the economic situation worsened, construction slowed down, new buildings were practically not erected, which played into the hands of modern tourists - Siena retained its medieval appearance, built of narrow streets, stone houses and gloomy palazzos.
The city can be called an open-air museum, where it is easy and fun to study the history of architectural elements, significant buildings and urban plan.

The central square of Siena is the famous Piazza del Campo. A huge fan diverges into nine segments, forming a shell of a characteristic shape.

One of the historical documents of 1169 says that the area is used as "fields for the Palio". Campo is Italian for "field". Until the end of the 13th century, fairs and festivals were held on the square, there was a violent trade, and its appearance little resembled the one we see now. In 1287, the government of the Nine decided to improve Siena, and the area was divided into two parts - piazza del Campo and piazza del Mercato - under the reconstruction plan. They erected the City Palace (Palazzo Communale), which became the residence of the mayor, and added a tower to it. The fountain was installed in 1346.
The government of Siena issued an aesthetically important law, according to which all facades must be made in the same style, have given gaps and distances, and be combined in architectural design.
At that time, an unusual shape of the square developed, on which the three main streets of Siena converged. The area is divided into nine sectors, in honor of the Government of the Nine, and separated from each other by white stripes. The diameter of the square was 333 meters.
In our time on Piazza del Campo passes the famous Siena Palio, i.e. races in which all quarters (contradas) of Siena participate. By the way, the square itself is a “neutral” territory and is not included in any of the contradas.

The eye is attracted by a red palazzo with a high tower. This is the city palace, erected in 1288-1309, in which the government of the Nine met. The power of the government of the Nine lasted from 1287 to 1355, despite being called "good government", this period ended with an economic crisis.
Inside the palazzo, the city museum is equipped, which contains an art collection of local creators.
a tower called Torre del Mangia, added in 1325. It is considered one of the highest in Italy. More precisely, it takes third place and has a height of 88 meters. (See "The highest bell towers in Italy").
In fact, the tower is a bell tower. Historically, the Siena bell is called mangia, from the verb mangiare, i.e. "There is". Because the first bell ringer was famous for his love for delicious food. And, despite the fact that he did not work for long, the name has survived to this day.
In 1798, a devastating earthquake struck Siena, but the tower remained unscathed.

In 1349, the first bell was erected on the tower, in 1666 it was replaced with a new one, dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The huge bell weighs almost 7 tons. In the usual way it is only when the Palio begins, which is a signal of the approaching races. The rest of the time, a mechanical hammer strikes the bell.
Until 1425, the hammer was metal, and then it was replaced by a stone one, which is now stored in the Palazzo Comunale. The current hammer has been used since 1780.

Let's not rush to leave the square, among the numerous bars, restaurants and wineries, there are some other sights here.
At the foot of the tower is marble chapel, erected in 1352 in gratitude to the Virgin Mary for getting rid of the plague, the one that destroyed most of the population of Siena.
Attracts attention Fountain "Source of Joy", established in 1386. It became the first city fountain in Siena. Its name comes from the emotions experienced by the inhabitants. In 1409-19, the fountain was decorated with magnificent statues and reliefs by Jacopo della Quercia. Now we see copies made in 1868 by Tito Sarrochi.

Fountain "Source of Joy".

Let's go through Via del Porrionee.
In the quarter that delineate Via del Porrionee And Via di Salicotto, in the 16th century it was located Jewish ghetto. A characteristic feature is the narrow dark alleys, sloping streets and rows of stairs.

Sienna. Tuscany.

Sienna. Tuscany.

In 1929, during the era of fascism, some streets were redesigned, resulting in a mixture of architectural opposites.

Let's go to the ghetto Vicolo delle Scotte, which is a narrow and steep descent along which old buildings stand, connected by arches and vaults. House number 14 is located Synagogue.
Let's continue the route Via degli Archi (Street of the Arches) heading towards the city garden along a long and narrow alley Vicolo della Fortuna (Fortune Lane). Admire the nice view of the Manja tower and the Sienese rooftops.
Next, we will overcome the steep Vicolo di Codaci, which leads to Via di Salicotto- a long street that connects with piazza del Campo, but we will go in the opposite direction.
On this street open panoramas of Siena and green valley .

Now we are in Contrada Tower (Torre). On one of the small squares you can see a symbol - an elephant with a tower on its back.

Contrada Tower

Siena is divided into 17 contrades, i.e. quarters. In the XIII century there were 23 of them, each of them was supposed to provide food for the troops. At present, the contrades have remained as administrative units within which significant events are celebrated, such as a child, a wedding or a funeral. Each contrada has its own museum, symbol, flag, fountain, church and square.

We go out to Via Pagliaresi, its name comes from the name of a noble family living here in the XIV century.

Approximately in the middle of the street crosses a dead end Jewelers Lane (Vicolo degli Orefici). It is buried in greenery and flowers, shelters from the sun with stone arches and old houses, but the most interesting is at the end of the alley. The medieval pipeline system has been preserved here.

The medieval pipeline of Siena (pictured top left).

We will return from the alley to Via Pagliaresi.
From the street Via Pagliaresi turn right to via Roma and we'll get to roman gate whose construction began in 1327.
Nearby is the fence of the former psychiatric hospital, built in the 19th century on the basis of the monastery of St. Nicholas.

Former psychiatric hospital and Roman Gate (left).

The hospital grew very quickly, the number of patients became more and more, so a real "city of madmen" soon appeared with streets, craft workshops, laundries and trattorias. Occupational therapy was a fundamental factor in the treatment. Until now, old signs and signs have been preserved, rusted from time to time.

Garden de' Pecci once belonged to a hospital. Now there is a vegetable garden and a mini-zoo in which the ever-hungry donkey lives. He enjoys eating carrots and grass, so take some treats with you if you decide to visit the zoo.

Garden de Pecci.

We will leave the territory of the former psychiatric hospital and go back a little along the street along which we came before the first turn to the left (Via Val di Montone). A steep climb with stairs leads us to Basilica of San Clemente in Santa Maria dei Servi.

Servites, i.e. monks of the Order of the Servants of the Virgin Mary appeared in Siena around 1250. At first they settled on the outskirts, outside the city walls, but the temple was erected inside the walls on the site of the current church of San Clemente. The construction of the basilica lasted three centuries, resulting in an architectural mix of different styles. Inside, frescoes of the 14th century and artistic canvases of the 13th-14th centuries have been preserved.

Starts from the church via del Sole (Sunny street), which goes down. It leads to the second entrance to the garden de "Stove, but we will go further, overcoming a slight rise and exit to Market Square (Piazza del Mercato).

From the square, a steep climb awaits us. Via del Casato, which is one of the main streets of ancient Siena. It is divided into two parts - Sotto (lower) and Sopra (upper), at the point of division, the street turns left. Around are typical medieval houses.

Sienna. Italy.

IN lane Vicolo dei Percennesi one can find characteristic Ghibelline dovetail crenellations adorning the walls. This is the only place in Siena.

Via Casato di Sopra displays on via P. A. Mattioli.
At the crossroads you can see Turtle contrada fountain. During our route we passed through several contradas. But an observant traveler will notice that each contrada is distinguished by lanterns and small plaques on the walls of houses.

On the right side of the street is Siena Pinakothek.
And on the left - Church of St. Augustine (Prato di Sant "Agostino) in the meadow of the same name. Once the meadow was called "Ivy Road" (Via della Lellera), since all the buildings were wrapped in ivy - “lellera” in the local dialect. Saint Augustine's Meadow is a forested area overlooking the Valdimontone valley.
The Church of St. Augustine contains valuable artwork, including frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Francesco di Giorgio Martini and one of the oldest organs in Siena.

Let's go back by Via P. A. Mattioli, in front of the Pinakothek turn left, via Castelvecchi will lead to via Stalloreggi, here to the left.
Let's go long Via del Fosso di Sant'Ansano.

Sienna. Italy.

Ditch of St. Ansan, as the name of the street is translated from Italian. According to legend, the patron saint Siena Ansan escaped martyrdom here. The saint was sentenced to death and had to be boiled in boiling oil, but he came out of the cauldron unharmed. The pagans did not stop there and beheaded Saint Ansan.
From the ground where his head fell, a source of holy water gushed forth.

From here we can already see the bell tower of the Cathedral, to which we are heading.
Piazzetta della Selva, stairs up Vicolo di San Girolamo, to the right Via dei Fusari and go out to the square Piazza del Duomo.

On Duomo Square immediately attracts attention Cathedral.

It was erected in the 12th century, although it is quite possible that a church existed on this site earlier. In 1313, a bell tower 77 meters high was added. A little later, the cathedral was expanded.
The facade of the Cathedral is covered with white marble with decorative elements made of red and green marble designed by Giovanni Pisano in the Romanesque-Gothic style.
Now the cathedral is a museum that amazes with wealth and splendor.
We will not dwell on each masterpiece, there are too many of them, we will note only a few.

In the left nave in the Piccolomini altar are the work of a young Michelangelo: St. Peter and St. Pius - on the left, St. Paul and St. Gregory the Great - on the right. Michelangelo at this time began to receive more important orders, so the altar was left unfinished.
In the right nave in the chapel of San Giovanni Battista - a sculpture of St. Jon Batista works by Donatello. Chapel of the Madonna del Voto completed designed by Bernini, there are also statues of the work of the great sculpture - St. Mary Magdalene and St. Jerome.
Of particular interest is the floor of the cathedral, made in the technique of inlay. I would like to dwell on it in more detail.

“The most magnificent and luxurious floor ever made,” Vasari said of the floor of the Cathedral of Siena.
But the floor strikes not only with beauty, but also with the mystery of its esoteric symbols resembling tarot cards. Immediately make a reservation that we are not talking about all the squares.
The floor consists of 56 inlaid panels: marble tiles of different colors, which depict figures related to Christianity and paganism. It is not known why all this was placed on the floor of the cathedral. But it is clear that this was done with great love for the symbols.
The work took place in the period from 1369 to 1547. 40 masters worked on them. The floor was badly damaged by the feet of millions of visitors. The panels were completely restored (we read, remade) in 1839.

Inspection route:

central nave: 5 squares are noteworthy: Hermes Trismegistus (1488, Giovanni di Stefano); Siena wolf with symbols of allied cities (author unknown, redesigned by Leopoldo Maccari in 1864-65); Imperial Eagle (original dated to the 14th century, author unknown, alteration after 1865); Allegory of the Hill of Wisdom (1505, Bernardino di Betto, called Pintoricchio); Wheel of Fortune.

A labyrinth is depicted in a large square, on a black background is the figure of the Wise Man in a hat with a yellow border. The square dates from 1488 by Giovanni di Stefano.
At this time, they were fond of the works of Greek and Latin humanists. The sage is Hermes Trismegistus (Mercury). This is confirmed by the inscription: HERMIS MERCURIUS TRIMEGISTUS.

With his right hand, he passes an open book to a barbarian in a turban in clothes with a red border (a symbol of Eastern wisdom?). Behind him stands another character wrapped in a white tunic (symbol of the West?).

The oldest tile is the one that shows Sienese She-Wolf surrounded by symbols of allied cities (1373).
The she-wolf feeds the twins Seno and Askio, depicted on a red background. Roman legacy of Siena.
Allied cities that were founded in the time of Tuscia are depicted on a black background: Perugia (stork), Viterbo (unicorn), Orvieto (goose), Arezzo (horse), Florence (lion), Lucca (panther), Pisa (hare), Rome (elephant).
The whole plot is enclosed in a large square, in the four corners of which there are animal symbols: a griffin - Grosseto, an eagle - Volterra, a dragon - Pistoia, a lion with lilies - Massa Marittima.

Square with imperial eagle: a huge white wheel on a black background, inscribed in a red square. In the center is the Eagle, which symbolizes the maximum power in the Middle Ages.

Allegory Hill of Wisdom. This is where colors play a big role. White is the path, gray is the surging sea, black is the earth, red is the Hill of Knowledge.
The pilgrims ascending the hill were frozen in various poses. In a yellow-black turban, he sleeps, clutching a closed book to himself. Another in a yellow cap with a strange object in his hands turns to Fortuna.
One brought a stick that resembles a tau cross - the St. Anthony's cross. The first in line crawls on his knees, he is already almost at the goal and sees a female figure on the throne, which personifies Knowledge.
The "wise men" also go this way, they must help Fortune, who is depicted as a naked woman on the right with a sail in her hands. On the left is the cornucopia.
Snakes, turtles, various animals also follow the path.
The meaning of the square: the path to virtue is difficult and difficult, then whoever is persistent will be rewarded.

Square Wheel of Fortune depicted on a red background inscribed in a rhombus. A king in white robes on a throne with a sphere in his hands, which symbolizes power over the world and a scepter in his other hand. 4 ancient philosophers are depicted in hexagons outside the range of the wheel.

In the side aisles, ten images of the Sibyls can be found, among them the Sibyl of Cuma with her famous books.

Let's proceed further:
Herod's Hunt (1485, Benvenuto di Giovanni); Road of the Innocents (1482, Matteo di Giovanni); History of Judith (1473, Francesco di Giorgio Martini); History of Samson (perhaps 1426, Stefano di Giovanni called detto "il Sassetta").
Directly below the dome, which symbolizes the sky, is a huge hexagon, which is a symbol of the earth.

Coming out of the Cathedral, we will see a long facade of red brick - this former hospital of Santa Maria della Scala, one of the oldest in Europe. Now there is a museum complex in which archaeological and art exhibits are stored.
Near Baptistery of San Giovanni Battista built in the first half of the 14th century. Here are stored sculptural work the great masters of the Italian Renaissance - Donatello, Lorenzo Ghiberti and Japoco della Quercia.

From the main entrance to the cathedral, turn right onto via Pellegrini, Further Via delle Terme, where in the era ancient rome there were thermae.
Let's follow the signs to Sanctuary of Saint Catherine, which is located on Costa di Sant'Antonio.

Here, in 1347, Catherine Benincasa was born, canonized in 1461 by Pope Pius II. Saint Catherine of Siena is one of the most revered Catholic saints and the main patroness of Italy, known for, that in mystical ecstasy she wrote more than 400 letters, had a “divine mark” - “invisible” stigmata, flew during prayer and had a significant influence on church politics.

The wall of the house opposite is decorated with the image of the Madonna and the Goose. That's right, we're in Goose's contrade.

Sienna. Italy.

From here it's very close to Basilica of Saint Dominic, located on the square of the same name, signs lead to it from the sanctuary. This is one of the most important churches Siena.

Basilica of Saint Dominic. Sienna. Italy.

The basilica was erected in the 13th century, it houses important relic - the head of St. Catherine of Siena. (The relics of the saint are in Rome in the Basilica of Santa Maria sopra Minerva).
Dominican friars appeared in Siena in 1220. A few years later they were given land to build a church. Later, the basilica was expanded and gave it Gothic features.
The church houses numerous artistic works of interest.
Portrait of Catherine of Siena by her friend Andrea Vani, by Sodom, Giovanni di Stefano and others.

The area around the basilica is rich in water sources. In the Middle Ages, craftsmen working with fabrics - spinners, dyers - settled here. For example, the father of St. Catherine, whose house was nearby, was a dyer. Abundance of water necessary condition for their work. Going down from the Basilica of St. Dominic, you can see fontebrand fountain (in the photo above, at the foot of the hill, you can see a beautiful building with three arches and a lancet decoration on top), built in the 13th century in the wall separating the contradas of the city.
Giovanni di Stefano built a travertine fountain, which has survived to this day. But at this place the fountain existed before, there are references to it in Dante's Divine Comedy.
Water is collected in three baths, closed by arches. From the first bath, water could be drunk, the second bath served to quench the thirst of animals, and the third - the lowest - for washing. In addition, the water from the fountain was used for mills and dyeing fabrics. Now every half an hour the fountain "speaks", making the sounds of Siena of the XIV century.

If you went down to the fountain, then climb back to the Basilica of St. Dominic, from here a wide alley viale dei Mille along the stadium leads to Medici fortresses (Fortezza Medicea).
The Medici fortress known as Fort Saint Barbara was built in 1561-63. by order of the Florentine Duke Cosimo I de' Medici.
The citadel, which was located on this site before, withstood numerous attacks of enemies, on April 21, 1555, after a year-long siege, it surrendered. Cosimo I ordered the construction of a new fortress, the project was developed by the architect Baldasar Lanci. Until the 18th century The fortress performed a military role, after which it was opened to the public. In 1937 the citadel was restored and turned into a city park. Now there is a wine cellar, exhibitions and concerts (for example, Siena Jazz) are held here.
The Enoteca Italiana, located in the fortress, is one of the largest in Italy. In the ancient cellars there is a museum where significant wines from all regions of Italy are presented (the entrance to the museum is free), you can taste wines in the bar, seminars and master classes are constantly held in the vinotheque. (PS: in 2017 the enoteca was closed.)

If you can break away from the magnificent Tuscan wines, then we are left with the last point of the route - the Basilica of St. Francis and its Eucharistic miracle.

From the fortress through a green square with a sculpture of two horses (and in Siena everything "screams" about Palio), we find via Montenini, along it we go to the intersection with via Rossi, which leads to Basilica of Saint Francis of Siena on Piazza San Francesco.
The Basilica of Saint Francis is one of the most important religious buildings in Siena. The basilica was built in the 13th century. in the Romanesque style, later it was given Gothic features.
The Eucharistic miracle is associated with the Basilica of St. Francis.
In 1730, thieves stole from St. Francis' Church Siena a silver altar-bearer, in which liturgical bread (prosphora) was kept. The search continued for three days, after which the stolen item was found in the church of Santa Maria di Provenzano in Siena in an alms box. The following day, a procession carried the prosphora back to St. Francis, where they remain to this day.
In 1780, they conducted an examination to make sure that these were the very real prosphora. It was then that a miracle was recorded, consisting in the unusual preservation of consecrated bread, which had not changed in any way for 50 years and remained fresh.
A reliable and incorruptible commission checked the prosphora and in 1789, 1889, 1815, 1854, 1914, 1922. And each time she made sure that 223 prosphora were in excellent condition, initially there were 351 prosphora.
In 1950, the prosphora was placed in a new precious ark.

Palio
From the 12th century it was divided into three parts, thirds, converging on the central square. In turn, the thirds were subdivided into 17 contradas, autonomous regions, in fact having the status of separate towns, each was assigned its own flag and coat of arms depicting a patron animal.
This division still exists, along with traditions that have come from ancient times. The inhabitants of different contradas have been competing with each other since ancient times, and devotion to one's contrada sometimes reaches fanaticism.
The main event in which district rivalry reaches its peak is taking place in Siena on July 2 and August 16, the annual equestrian competition - Palio.
Each contrada exhibits its own horse with a rider in a medieval costume, but only ten contradas are selected for the race, competitions are held on Piazza del Campo, specially covered with sand for this occasion.
Twice a year Siena fever grips, locals and tourists are waiting for the decisive moment. In front of the Palio, in the church of each contrada, a service is held, at which riders are present along with horses, at the end of the service, the priest proclaims: "Go and return in victory!"
But only one of them will return with victory, ensuring the glory of his contrada until the next Palio. Various events take place before and after the races, such as dinners served on long tables right along the streets, costume parades and masquerades.

What to try in Siena:

Pasta is the most versatile and popular Italian dish. But each region of Italy has its own pasta, in Siena This pici- large spaghetti served with various sauces. Handmade pici are valued, they are usually produced in the north of the province of Siena.
Vegetable soup - ribollita (ribollita) a great dish for vegetarians. However, many meat dishes, especially game - wild boar, hare, roe deer.
A special part is Sienese sweets, which are probably second only to Sicilian ones.
Famous Panforte (panforte)- gingerbread made from dried fruits, nuts and spices. In the classic version, Margarita is white, but it can be with chocolate, hot spices and many other variations.
Ricciarelli (Ricciarelli)- almond cakes, which appeared in the XIV century. at the Tuscan court. The legend mentions the cavalier Richardetto Della Gherardesca, who brought the recipe from the Crusade. The ricarellis are made for the sweet dessert wine Vin Santo, which is made from raisined grapes.
I would also like to mention tiramisu, the most famous Italian dessert. There is a version that tiramisu was first prepared in the 17th century. in Tuscany at the court of Cosimo II Medici.
Do not forget that Siena is practically in the zone of production of the most prestigious wines not only in Italy, but also in the world - Brunello di Montalcino, Nobile di Montepulciano, Chianti, Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

As a rule, each locality in Italy is famous not only for its own cuisine, but also for its craft.
In Siena it's majolica. Pottery production existed here already in 1265. There were many workshops that made stemmed glasses decorated with floral and zoological motifs. And in 1510 they began to produce majolica, which was distinguished by its elegance and richness of decor. So a ceramic vessel from Siena, dating from 1510 is kept in the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Stunningly beautiful thing.

In the north of Italy. Once here for a day, it seems that you have been transported to the Middle Ages. The city has remained so untouched since its heyday. The sights of Siena fully reflect its medieval Gothic character - restrained and a little harsh without frivolous baroque curls and embellishments.

Despite the fact that Siena is a fairly large tourist center, you do not feel the hustle and bustle here, completely dissolving in terracotta brick buildings made from local red clay. Even an ordinary leisurely walk will bring a lot of pleasure, revealing new incredible facets of this Italian city at every turn.

Siena is a medieval city in northern Italy

Sights of Siena

The sights of Siena are located very compactly within walking distance from each other. You can see them both on your own and as part of a tour. The tour is perfect for those who have only a few hours left. You can book a tour using this link.

Piazza del Campo in Siena and its main attractions

historical center and The main attraction of Siena is Piazza del Campo, which in its structure resembles an ancient amphitheater or a shell sash. The area is conventionally divided into 9 sectors. This decision appeared as early as the 14th century, when all the townspeople from different quarters gathered for city holidays or political discussions. Citizens could only occupy their sectors according to their places of residence.

This tradition has been preserved to this day. The most significant city events and holidays, including those known far beyond the borders of Italy, are held precisely in Piazza del Campo, gathering representatives of all city quarters.

Piazza del Campo - the main city square of Siena and the site of the legendary Sienese horse races

From all sides the square is surrounded by medieval buildings, the most notable of which is considered to be the building City Hall(Palazzo Pubblico) with an 88 meter tower of the "lover of delicious food" (Torre del Mangia).

The town hall was built at the beginning of the 14th century. for meetings of the local ruling elite - the "Council of Nine". At the same time, the government obliged the owners of houses in Piazza del Campo to adhere to the same with the city hall architectural style and do not build buildings higher than the town hall itself. Role political center Palazzo Pubblico still performs to this day: the upper floors of the building are occupied by the administration of the city of Siena.

City Hall with the 88-meter tower Torre del Mangia

But the first floor is given to art. Here are located City Museum of Siena And Rinnovati theater. The City Museum (Museo Civico) is interesting for its wall paintings. They appeared in the 14th century. thanks to the famous painter Ambrogio Lorenzetti and entered the history of world art as the first cycle of images of non-religious subjects. By order of the local Council, Lorenzetti spoke about the ways of correct and incorrect management of the city. Thus, one of the world's most famous frescoes-allegories of "good and bad government" was born.

Fresco-allegory of the "good" government of A. Lorenzetti

It is impossible to pass by the town hall due to the high Torre del Mangia tower. For Italy of the Middle Ages, the 88-meter Siena Tower was a gigantic structure, occupying an honorable third line after the towers in Cremona and Bologna. Its strange name - the Tower of the lover of delicious food - it received in honor of the first caretaker Giovanni di Balduccio. He loved spending time in taverns and taverns so much that he spent all his earnings there. There is a version that during construction, coins for good luck were embedded in the base of the tower, and bricks with inscriptions protecting Torre del Mangia from natural disasters were placed on each of the corners.

Do not miss the opportunity to climb the observation deck of the tower. After climbing 400 steps, you will be generously rewarded with stunning views of medieval Siena.

View from the tower of Torre del Mangia

If Piazza del Campo is open to the public all the time, then you need to buy a ticket to the Civic Museum and the tower in advance. You can buy both a complex ticket and individual attractions. Unfortunately, the ticket to the town hall cannot be bought in advance. They are sold only at the box office of the museum. We recommend the current ticket prices and the museum's opening hours.

Duomo and Cathedral Square of Siena

In the immediate vicinity of Piazza del Campo, there is another Siena square - Piazza del Duomo. The main decoration of the square is Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Siena) in honor of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. The cathedral was built in the 13th century. on the site of the previously existing sanctuary of Minerva and is still one of the best examples of the Romanesque-Gothic style.

Siena Cathedral - one of the outstanding pearls of Italian Gothic

Above appearance The famous masters of their era, Giovanni Pisano and Giovanni di Cecco, worked on the Duomo. Inside, attention is drawn to the unique marble floor with biblical scenes and religious images. You can't miss the statues of Michelangelo in the Piccolomini Chapel, the bronze statue of John the Baptist by Donatello, the biblical pulpit by Nicola Pisano, and the Piccolomini Library, decorated with frescoes by Pinturicchio.

Under the cathedral not so long ago was discovered crypt, which in the 13th century was most likely used to enter the church. There are also preserved frescoes by an unknown master.

In the XIV century, when the Republic of Siena reached its peak, it was planned to complete the construction of the basilica so that it would eclipse it with its size. But the ambitious plans of the Sienese were not destined to come true. The plague epidemic destroyed 80% of the urban population, apparently the Lord himself punished the townspeople for their vanity.

The new cathedral remained unfinished on Cathedral Square. Now on its top is one of the best viewing platforms in the city of Siena. And the bottom floor is museum of works of the Duomo, where frescoes and sculptures of prominent artists of the Middle Ages are stored.

Baptistery in Siena Cathedral

Recommended to visit and Baptistery in Siena Cathedral. It has been here since the 14th century. baptized all Sienese from commoners to noble nobles. The baptistery is painted with frescoes by famous masters of its era; in the center of attention is a marble font, in the manufacture of which Donatello himself took part.

For those who want to visit the cathedral, crypt, baptistery, museum and climb the observation deck, we recommend purchasing Subscription "Around Siena Cathedral". With a subscription, you can save up to 50% of the cost of individual tickets and avoid long queues. You can buy it online on this website. The subscription is valid for 3 days, which allows you to slowly explore all the most interesting.

The oldest hospital in Europe, Santa Maria della Scala

Among the sights of the Cathedral Square of Siena one can single out one of the oldest in Europe Hospital Santa Maria della Scala dated to the 11th century. with characteristic fresco paintings of the Middle Ages. The church of the 13th century has been preserved at the hospital. Now this building houses City Archaeological Museum, in the exposition of which you can see objects from the time of the Etruscans and Romans.

The official website of the museum is santamariadellascala.com. Click here for current ticket prices and opening hours.

Religious sites of Siena

The Sienese are very proud that St. Catherine of Siena is the patron saint of Italy. The street of her name will certainly lead to the house where the future saint lived before her tonsure. Back in the 15th century. Catholic Church bought a house and built a small temple here, which became a traditional place of pilgrimage.

House of St. Catherine in Siena

In addition to the church, the saint's room, her personal belongings and even a place to sleep have been preserved in the house.

Closely connected with the life of St. Catherine was built in the 13th century. basilica of st. Dominica. It was within the walls of this basilica that the future saint spent most of her life. The relics of St. Catherine - head and finger brought here from Rome. Currently, the Dominican Church is a regular place of pilgrimage.

Of the religious sites of the city of Siena in Italy, you can also visit the basilica of st. Francis built in the 13th century Basilica of the Osservanza, dated to the 15th century, and the church of St. Augustine 14th century

Historical and cultural sights of the city of Siena in Italy

Fans of medieval religious painting will not be able to pass by National Pinakothek of Siena, where you can see the paintings of Simone Martini, Sodom, the Lorenzetti brothers, Duccio di Buoninsegna and other famous painters.

Medici fortress in Siena

Do not ignore the main fortification of the city - Fort Cosimo Medici, built during the decline of the Republic of Siena in the XVI century. The fundamental brick structure is reinforced with pentagonal bastions. Over time, the fortress was disarmed, breaking here a beautiful city garden with panoramic views of the city. Various exhibitions and cultural events are often organized here. Some of the premises were given to the Jazz Association, others were converted into an audio archive and a library. And in the basement of the fortress in a pleasant environment, you can taste the best varieties of Italian wines.