Spotlight on Siena, Italy
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Discover Siena, Tuscany, Italy
Siena, without a doubt, is one of Tuscany's gems. It has much to offer - even to the budget traveler. You can easily visit its historic center and a number of free attractions on foot, including a botanical garden and Piazza del Campo, where the Palio horse race is held twice a year. Siena's cathedral is one of the most beautiful in Italy and its strategic hilltop location offers panoramic views.
Siena is also the birthplace of one of Italy's two patron saints, Saint Catherine of Siena, and the Chapel of Saint Catherine can be found within Siena's Basilica of San Domenico while the house she inhabited is part of the Sanctuary of Saint Catherine. There are numerous cobblestone streets to explore, shops to browse in and restaurants where you can enjoy Italian cuisine. Savor a gelato during your passeggiata (evening stroll) and try to spot the buildings that are part of the University of Siena.
{Photo in Siena's Botanical Garden, taken during an extended holiday in Italy. Article copyright Heidi Brault. Photos copyright Heidi Brault, unless otherwise indicated.
© 2010 Heidi Brault. All Rights Reserved*
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.}
Contents at a Glance
Siena, Italy: Geography and Background Notes
Map of Italy
Located in Tuscany, Siena is situated southwest of Florence and southeast of Livorno and is the capital of the province of Siena, Italy. If you're traveling by train, the ride from Florence is about 1.5 hours. Siena is hilly, and the "centro storico" (historic center) is nowhere near "la stazione ferroviaria" (the train station), so you'll need to take a city bus or a taxi to get into town. Another option is to take a SITA bus from Florence to Siena - a one-hour ride and you'll be dropped off in Siena's historic center.Unlike Florence, which is a Renaissance city, Siena is a Gothic city. It drapes itself over three hills and its narrow, winding streets are made of stone and brick, so comfortable walking shoes are a must!
{Map of Italy - public domain map courtesy of the CIA World Factbook.}
Siena on an Historic Map
Map of Italy (1494 AD)
Historic, detailed map showing Italy as it was in 1494. Look for Siena just south of Florence and southeast of Volterra. Map of Italy - public domain map courtesy of Wikipedia Commons.
During the middle ages...
"Siena was medieval Florence's archrival. And while Florence ultimately won the battle for political and economic superiority, Siena still competes for the tourists". (Rick Steeves' Florence & Tuscany, 2010, p. 291.)
Siena's Cathedral
Duomo - Siena, Italy
Siena's "duomo", the Cathedral of Santa Maria, is one of Italy's most magnificent cathedrals and its interior includes frescos, statues by Michelangelo and sculptures by Bernini. Its immensity is only surpassed by its captivating decor - both inside and out. There's a lot to see in the cathedral - it's not something that you want to rush through. Ensure yourself at least one view of the duomo from a distance.Other attractions in the vicinity of the cathedral are the Piccolomini Library, the Duomo Museum and the Baptistery.
Photo copyright:
© 2010 Heidi Brault. All Rights Reserved
UNESCO - Siena
"The highest point of the town is crowned by the Cathedral of Santa Maria. Its facade, the lower part of which is the work of Giovanni Pisano, was completed by Giovanni di Cecco after construction of the Nuovo Duomo (New Cathedral), a vast project inspired by the Gothic cathedrals of north of the Alps. The cathedral preserves a remarkable pavement and the pulpit carved by Nicolà Pisano."
(Historic Center of Siena - UNESCO World Heritage Centre)
Piazza del Campo - Siena's Main Piazza
Siena's Main Public Square
Piazza del Campo is Siena's main public square and its largest. If you wish, you can challenge yourself to conquering the stairs up to the top of the tower. Otherwise, just enjoy the piazza, the tower, and Fonte Gaia (Gaia Fountain) from below - free concerts usually take place in the piazza.This area was originally a field, hence the name "campo", and it was located outside the city's walls. The Palio di Siena horse race is held every year on July 2 and August 16 in Piazza del Campo, and it is historically an important part of the city's culture.
{Photo of Pizza del Campo, Siena - public domain photo courtesy of Wikimedia Commons.}
Orto Botanico di Siena
Siena's Botanical Garden
Siena's Orto Botanico, a two and a half hectar garden, is owned and operated by the University of Siena, is for nature lovers and gardening enthusiasts. Head south from Piazza del Campo (check the city map). Look for the sign and step in. There's no admission fee - just an incredible array of various trees and flowers brought in from all over the world. Most of what you see is labelled so you know what you're admiring. Poppies, citrus fruit, grape vines and olive trees are just a few of the hundreds of types of plant life that you will encounter. Rustic, rickety railings and slanted structures embellish the footpaths as you descry panoramic vistas of the Tuscan countryside and sections of Siena's medieval city walls.{Photo taken during a walk in Orto Botanico.}
© 2010 Heidi Brault. All Rights Reserved
Memories of l'Orto Botanico di Siena
Orto Botanico di Siena - Photo Gallery
Orto Botanico di Siena. Photo copyright Heidi Brault.
Siena - Fun Quiz
Fun test on Siena.
Siena, Italy - Maps & History
- Siena - Wikipedia
- History of Siena, Italy, as well as an overview of its major tourist attractions.
- Siena Cathedral - Wikipedia
- History of Siena's Duomo and an overview of its design and architecture.
- Orto Botanico dell'Università di Siena
- History and background information on Siena's botanical garden.
- University of Siena - Wikipedia
- History of the University of Siena in Siena, Italy.
- Province of Siena - Map
- Shows the location of the province of Siena on a map of Italy.
Siena - Vintage Image
Siena Vintage Travel Poster
Sienese Poll
Siena Travel Poll
{Photo taken from Siena's Orto botanico.
© 2010 Heidi Brault. All Rights Reserved*
Reproduction in whole or in part without permission is prohibited.}
Learn Italian in Siena
Language Schools in Siena, Italy
Contemplating a study holiday? Siena is home to several language schools and the University of Siena.
- Italian Language School "Scuola Leonardo da Vinci"
- La Scuola Leonardo da Vinci offers Italian language courses in Florence, Milan, Rome and Siena.
- Learn Italian in Siena: Saena Iulia
- Italian language school in Siena, Italy.
- University of Siena
- Programs offered at the University of Siena, as well as its history, student services and research centers.
- Apple Languages
- Apple Languages offers Italian language courses in Siena as well as in other locations in Italy.
- Cactus Language
- Cactus Language offers Italian courses in Siena as well as in other destinations in Italy. They also offer Italian culture courses and gastronomy courses.
Siena and Tuscany Travel Guides
Travel Guides - Siena and Tuscany
Select your travel guide.
Accommodations in Siena & Tuscany
Lodging in Tuscany
During peak tourist seasons, it's best to reserve a room ahead of time if you're planning on staying in Siena.
- Agriturismo Tuscany
- Accommodations in farmhouses and rural settings in Tuscany.
- Tuscany Net
- Accommodations in hotels and resorts in Tuscany.
- Tuscany Accommodation
- Various types of accommodations in Tuscany.
Walks in Tuscany
Village Walks in Tuscany
Siena Walking Tours
Walking Tours of Siena, Italy
Consider a walking tour of Siena, Italy.
- Tuscany Tours - Siena
- Three-hour walking tour of Siena, Italy.
- Siena Walking Tours
- Walking tours of Siena with a local guide.
- Siena Tour
- Walking tours in Siena.
Calendars and Travel Guides (E-books)
Travel guides on Tuscany, including Siena and Florence, and wall calendars featuring Tuscany.
Tuscany on Film
DVDs Featuring Tuscany
Choose a DVD that features Tuscany.
Italy on Squidoo
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Your Turn!
Did you enjoy your visit to Siena?
My guestbook is open for comments from visitors and Squidoo members. Let me know you've dropped by!
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Winter52 Jun 4, 2012 @ 1:33 pm | delete
- It's definitely going on my list now!!
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survivoryea
Apr 16, 2012 @ 6:58 pm | delete
- Loved my visit to Siena! Such a nice lens and great photos :>)
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jseoseo
Apr 13, 2012 @ 4:55 am | delete
- Great Tips on Sienna. The orto Bonatico is really awesome.
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baileyvisuals
Mar 11, 2012 @ 8:09 am | delete
- I love Sienna, try walking off the main square and look for the restaurants that usually just have a simple doorway, they are the best and cheap and all local YUM!
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greenlungsofpoland
Feb 25, 2012 @ 7:07 am | delete
- Wonderful lens looks a great place to visit
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