Siena

Surrounded by olive groves and the vineyards in Chianti, Siena is one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany and all of Italy. The city has a population of roughly 54,000. Siena is a city with a rich and fascinating culture. Its streets do not seem to have changed for decades, and the entire city is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The central piazza Il Campo is the heart of Siena, and is known for its horse race, Palio, which is held twice a year on the second of July and the 26th of August on the square of Piazza del Campo. Palio di Siena is an important part of Siena’s identity, history, and culture, and brings out local passion and old rivalry. Siena has been divided into 17 Contrade (districts) since the Middle Ages, and ten of these districts compete in the horse race every year. Enjoy the parades and festivities leading up to the race, and take part in the electric atmosphere when the horses enter the track. There are also smaller festivals and events in Siena throughout the year.

Siena is also home to of one the oldest universities in Europe, which ensures a lively Italian student atmosphere throughout the academic year. In addition to the busy everyday life in the streets and the town square, Siena offers many cultural events, concerts, cinemas, theaters, and a wide range of sporting activities.

Siena is a historic city with a remarkable legacy. Visitors can admire the architecture, spend hours looking at the ancient works of art, or just enjoy the traditions that permeate every street.

History and culture

The city is located on three hills, hinged together by swirling alleys and steep steps, with the Piazza del Campo as the heart of the city where the former Roman Forum was located. The red Palazzo Pubblico and its tower Torre del Mangia dominate the Campo.

Walking up the stairs of Torre del Mangia ensures an amazing view of the whole area.

The Civic Museum holds some of Siena’s largest paintings. Sala del Concistoro houses one of Domenico Beccafumi’s best works, but it is Sala del Mappamondo and Sale della Pace that are the highlights of the palaces; Simone Martini’s enormous Maestà and the equestrian portrait of Guidoriccio da Fogliano and Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s Allegories of Good and Bad Government, which was once considered the most important cycle of secular paintings of the Middle Ages.

The Duomo of Siena is located one piazza above Piazza del Campo, and is a magnificent Gothic building filled with treasures by Pisano, Donatello, and Michelangelo as well as frescoes by Pinturicchio. The building is mostly known for is black and white marble façade and the incredible works of art that decorate the walls. Don’t forget to stop by the Biblioteca Piccolomini inside the Cathedral to see both the beautiful frescoes and the old books. If you are looking for more amazing churches, stop by the Basilica di San Domenico or Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore right outside the city.

The city´s gardens are also worth a visit. Orto Botanico dell’Università di Siena, is a botanical garden maintained by the University of Siena to name one of them.

Shopping

The main shopping streets in Siena are Via dei Montanini, Via di Citta, and Banchi di Sopra. Here you will find clothing stores, shoe stores, antique shops, bookstores, grocery stores, and everything else you can think of. It is almost unthinkable to visit Siena without shopping for food, drinks, and sweets. We recommend making the trip to a store called Antica Drogheria Manganelli, which has been up and running since 1879. It is located on Via di Citta numbers 71-73. Another grocery store is Consorzio Agrario, sort of like a supermarket for local food which also has a range of products that makes you want to buy way too much. Make the trip to Piazza del Campo, 30/31 and the store Cortecci. Aloe & Wolf is another great place to go if Cortecci is too expensive. Aloe & Wolf is a vintage store with many brands located on Via del Porrione nr. 23, a street right by Piazza del Campo.

Food and wine

Siena’s cuisine is characterized by the quality of its ingredients. The ingredients are fresh and the recipes are simple combinations prepared with care and time.

ARTE IN TAVOLA (Art on the table). Panzanella, a typical example of Siena’s cuisine, consists of bread soaked in water which is dried in a cloth until it crumbles. It is then seasoned with olive oil, vinegar, pepper, and salt, before tomatoes, chopped onions and basil are added . The salty side of Siena’s cuisines consists of a number of must-haves, like soup made with Senese beans, or Pici, handmade spaghetti seasoned with pecorino cheese and pepper, or all`aglione, a spicy red sauce dominated by garlic.

Soups are an important part of Tuscan cuisine, along with roasted meat, wild meat, and several types of handmade pastas. Meats, vegetables, herbs of the finest quality, and most recipes, call for olive oil of the highest quality, which the region is known for.

Spices are a valuable commodity from the past that give a distinct taste to Siena’s typical dolci (desserts) such as panforte and cavallucci. Some typical dishes and products include beef from the special Chianina cattle breed, pici, crostini neri, fagioli all’uccelletto, pasta e fagioli, extra virgin olive oil, pecorino cheese, truffles, and Tuscan salami. Desserts include specialties such as panforte, ricciarelli, cantucci, and tiramisu. For this excellent food, one must also have Tuscan wine, and the first wine on the list is Chianti.

Here are two tips for you: the Montalcino district is located South of Siena, and the district produces amazing wines left, right and, center. We also have to mention the Chianti district, which most people from Norway are probably already familiar with. Chianti is located between Florence and Siena and is another region known for the quality of its wine.

The surrounding areas

Few geographical areas in the world boast the diverse environment that surrounds Siena. To the north, we have the richness of the Chianti landscape, woven with vines and olive trees through the hills. Located here are beautiful cities such as San Gimignano and Monteriggioni, with ancient walls, winding streets and incredible views. The Arbia Valley is located south of Siena and leads to the mountain top town of Montalcino, home to the famous Brunello wine. The Le Crete area stretches out with its rugged rock formations and unique landscape. Heading west brings us to the coast and to captivating coastal towns such as Castiglione della Pescaia and nature reserves such as the Maremma area. With such natural beauty which is easily reachable by car or public transport, Siena is a great place to base yourself for a Tuscan experience.

Transportation

There are both buses and trains going into Siena. The bus station is located in Piazza Gramsci within the city walls. Buses run regularly to and from Florence and other cities in Tuscany. There are also bus routes that take you all the way to Milan or Rome if you choose to visit. The railway is located just outside the city walls and there are good train routes to both Florence and Pisa.