This beautiful city made of brown Siena-colored bricks (so that’s how they named the color!), its jumble of narrow streets and delightful squares, the medieval towers that make such a spectacular skyline, its spectacular cathedral, the tall and trim Torre del Mangia, all together create an enticing atmosphere almost like stepping back in time.
Siena, the famous antagonist city of Florence during the twelfth century, is built on three hills and is home to one of the most authentic and important Gothic cathedrals south of the Alps.
Despite the city’s architectural masterpieces, it is the unusual shell-shaped Piazza del Campo that receives the most consideration having been seen in numerous films and photographs. This brick covered square is used twice a year for the famous “Palio” horserace, an event that involves the entire population and is considered one of the most important events in the life of the Sienese people.
This reckless bareback race is run on July 2nd and August 16th, has Roman origins but has first been officially recorded in 1283.
You’ll have about 5 hours to enjoy this beautiful city….!
On the way back to Florence we’ll make a stop in Monteriggioni, one of the best known and classic walled towns in Tuscany. This village was built on a hill by the Sienese between 1213 and 1219 to overlook the ancient Roman road, the Via Cassia.
This was a perfect position allowing for surveillance of the valleys below in the direction of the city of Florence, which was the historic enemy of Siena
