Siena
Having lost independence in the 16th century, the Siena Republic has sunk into oblivion, and its capital has remained behind the board of political and cultural life. But it was this annoying event that allowed Siena to turn into a photographically accurate reproduction of the Italian Middle Ages over the centuries. The city seemed to forever fall asleep on top of a hill under the rays of the subtropical sun in the guise created by palaces and cathedrals of brick. Their walls keep the buzz of bazaars, the secrets of merchant deals and political intrigues, and also remember the horrors of the black death (epidemic of plague), which destroyed almost the entire population in the middle of the 14th century. However, despite its ancient appearance, youth is in full swing in the city, because almost half of its population is students of the local university. And twice a year, residents give Siena its former metropolitan grandeur by staging the Palio festival in the main square of Piazza del Campo — spectacular horse races in which the Siena contractions compete.
Districts of Siena
Speaking of neighborhoods, it's worth remembering about the Contrada. These districts or counties of Siena exhibit their horses during the Palio. There are now 17 contradas participating in the race, each with its name, such as — Eagle, Tower, Dragon, Snail, Raccoon, Unicorn, Panther, and others. They are distinguished according to historical tradition rather than by reference to local landmarks.
Contradas are the main contestants, but not landmarks for the tourist in terms of interesting places.
Attractions
The entire Old City, a coherent medieval architectural ensemble, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995. The main attractions are Piazza del Campo, the nearby Palazzo Pubblico, and the Siena Cathedral, which stands out from the general color scheme with its white and black facade — the colors of the heraldic shield of Siena.
Population
Brief history
The city was not prosperous under the Romans because it was in the middle of nowhere and far from the roads, so it had no access to commerce. The boost to development came from the Lombardy conquest, which shifted its trade to the routes passing close to Siena. The city began to grow rapidly and accumulate wealth. Eventually, local feudal lords decided to establish the Republic of Siena in the XII century, which lasted until 1555. At that time, the city flourished, and its architectural image, which survives today, was formed.
However, further prosperity was interrupted by a terrible plague epidemic in 1348, called the "Black Death." It wiped out most of the population, and Siena entered an era of stagnation.
In 1555, the Republic of Siena ceased to exist after Spanish King Philip II seized the capital. Since then, Siena seems to have fallen out of history. The city lost its economic power, and no more construction took place, allowing the medieval architectural ensemble to survive to this day. The only interesting date after the fall of the Republic was 1633, when the first modern Palio horse race was held.
Today, Siena is the administrative center of the Tuscany region, known worldwide for its wine production. In addition, it's also a city of students, who make up almost half of its population. Siena is also considered the largest tourist center in the country because its sights annually attract many travelers from different corners of the globe.
The best time to visit Siena
Useful tips
Useful notes
It is best to start the journey to Siena from Florence or Pisa, where the international airports and train stations are located. The train or bus can take you quickly and comfortably to the city. The train station is located outside the old center. You can reach it by escalator. On the other hand, the bus station is inside the city wall.
When planning a place to stay overnight, remember that there are virtually no hostels in Siena, and hotels have high room rates. One option to save money is to stay overnight with locals. But before resorting to this method, you should carefully analyze the information.
Siena has inexpensive restaurants and cafes where you can eat well. Traditionally, like in any other Italian city, you should try the pizza here.
Things to do in Siena
- Stroll along the Piazza del Campo and look around at the facades of the old houses that attest to their medieval grandeur.
- Go to the Palazzo Pubblico, walk through the majestic halls, and climb the Torre del Mangia, which offers a stunning panorama of Siena.
- Visit the City Museum with archeological finds from Ancient Rome and paintings of famous artists from the Renaissance.
- Enjoy the stunning exterior and interior of Siena Cathedral.
- Stroll through the city's narrow streets among the walls of ancient houses.
- See the city's panorama at sunset, when the brick walls look particularly saturated.
- Visit the Palio horse races in July and August and bet on one of the jockeys.
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