The charming medieval city of Siena is in the heart of Tuscany, 75km south of Florence. It was settled by the Etruscans around 900BC and now has a modest population of 54,000. Siena is visited by around 170,000 tourists each year and is famous for its art, museums, medieval architecture, cuisine and the world-famous Palio horse race.
Siena’s main sights are best explored on foot, preferably with a tour guide. It is fashionable to promenade in the evening, as the Sienese locals do, and stop for drinks or a cool gelato along the way. Local delicacies include the heavy Panforte cake and the almond-flavored Ricciarelli.
The 12^thcentury Duomo is an ornate building in Gothic Romanesque style. It was intended to be the largest cathedral in the world, but after completing the transept and east wall the money ran out, leaving this grand but rather unusual church. See the octagonal pulpit supported by lions, the Renaissance frescoes and the carved frieze of the Popes. The arcaded Loggia Della Mercanzia, the Baptistery and the Museo dell’Opera have some of the finest frescoes and Renaissance paintings by local artists such as Duccio and Bartolomeo. The Pinacoteca also has a wonderful collection of Italian artwork.
The oddly shaped Piazza del Campo is home to the Town Hall with its 14^thcentury Torre del Mangia topped by a crown. It is 330 feet (102m) high and can be seen from all over the city. This cobbled square is where the Palio horse race takes place on July 2 and August 16 each year. The winner of this dangerous bareback race is awarded the colorful “Palio” and the race is followed by widespread festivities.