Siena Things to Do Tips by guell

Now, Go Spend a Few Days in Florence!!

Just a short train ride (or drive) away, you'll find Florence, another one of my favorite cities. Once you've gotten your fill of Siena, go spend a couple of days there. With its trademark Duomo, the gold-and-silver-shopped-lined historic Ponte Vecchio, the amazing collection of the Uffizi gallery, Michelangelo’s David, and the best gelato in all of Italy, Florence is definitely another "Must see " town.

For more information, see my Florence page.

Website: http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/3ed33/24e41/

Climb the Tower!! Piazza del Campo Review

One of the few "Musts" in Siena is climbing the "Torre del Mangia". The tower is 102 meters high and has 400 steps. If you pace yourself you WILL reach the top...and when you do, you'll be mesmerized by the beautiful brown tones of the city. It's a view you will never forget.

It costs about $5.00US (in 2001), and you must make a reservation for a 20 minute time window.

Directions: Get to "Il Campo", the central plaza. Look up.

The Floors of the Cathedral Duomo Review

The floors are covered for protection from the elements for most of the year, and we happened to be there the day they were being covered. I was able to snap this picture of the marble indaid work shortly before the covering was applied.

Under the Dome of the Cathedral Duomo Review

We stood under the dome and just stared…Magical.

The Cathedral's Interior Duomo Review

The interior of Siena's catheral is filled with masterpieces from Italian masters such as Michelangelo, Donatello and Bernini.

Get out and explore the outskirts

Having stayed about 1km from the city gates, I was able to snap this shot on our walk to the center. See the grapes on the vine?

Directions: about 400m from the gates on Via E.S. Piccolomini

The Catherdal Duomo Review

This cathedral, one of my favorites, was begun in the 12th century in the Romanesque style but was transformed in the 13th century into one of the finest examples of Italian Gothic. The walls and columns of the church's interior are covered with black and white marble, and its marble floors, which are covered up for 11 months out of the year, have decorative inlays by Domenico Beccafumi. We were fortunate enough to have seen them uncovered during our visit!

Stroll the Piazza Piazza del Campo Review

"IL Campo," Siena's central piazza is very inviting. Car free since 1966, it is in the shape of a half moon with a gently sloped "siena" colored tiled floor with a single drain at the center. Crowded by day, it really mellows out by dusk once the day-trippers head back to Florence.

Directions: grab a gelato and just pick a spot...near the fountain is a good choice.