"Siena, The Medieval Metropolis" Siena by nicolaitan

Siena Travel Guide: 890 reviews and 2,681 photos

The Cathedral and Belltower Dominate the Skyline - Siena
The Cathedral and Belltower Dominate the Skyline
Not Florence
Not Florence - Siena

At least among Americans, Siena is regarded as a small Florence because the large cathedral, belltower, and main plaza are home for great art of the Renaissance period. But Siena is not a Renaissance town. Its golden era was in the late Middle Ages period when the great architectural triumphs were constructed. The cathedral in Siena predates the Florentine duomo by almost 200 years, for example. Indeed the whole layout of the city within the walls has a different atmosphere. Worth far more than a half-day visit on a bus tour.

Siena Yesterday and Today

According to legend, Siena was founded by the children of Romulus and Remus. More likely, the region was first settled by Etruscans as early as 400 BC. The Romans established a settlement early in the 1st Century. It remained a relative backwater outpost - Christianity did not make any impact before the 4th Century. The city became increasing prosperous over the next 6 -7 centuries as trade and commerce moved westward to avoid turmoil to the east. In the 11th Century the cathedral and major buildings of the Piazza del Campo were constructed. Late in the 13th Century, Siena fell under the control of Florence after the Guelph-Ghibbeline wars and, after losing much of its population in the plague, did not regain its former economic and political power until the 16th Century (the Palio was first contested in 1656). In the 19th Century the city was first ruled by Napoleon and then Austria, joining the Italian union in 1860. Today Siena thrives on a combination of finance and tourism.

  • Intro Updated Feb 16, 2006
  • Add to Trip Planner (?)
  • Report Abuse

Reviews (2)

Duomo of Santa Maria dell'Assunta ( 5 photos) - Siena Duomo of Santa Maria dell'Assunta ( 5... Things to Do (2)

This magnificent church was constructed in the 12th and 13th Centuries, although the facade was not finished until 1382.... more travel advice

Piazza del Campo (4 photos) - Siena Piazza del Campo (4 photos) Things to Do (2)

The shell shaped Piazza, one of Italy's most famous squares, stands on the site of the old Roman forum. Besides the... more travel advice

Comments (5)

nicolaitan's Related Pages

Siena Travel Guide

 
Explore the World
Travel Destinations
nicolaitan's Profile Photo

nicolaitan

“Tomorrow is but another page in god's coloring book”

Online Now

Male

Top 1,000 Travel Writer
Member Rank:
0 0 1 2 2
Forum Rank:
0 0 0 5 5

Badges & Stats in Siena

  • 2 Reviews
  • 11 Photos
  • 6 Forum posts
  • 5 Comments
  • 646PageViews
  • See All Stats
  • See All Badges (45)

Have you been to Siena?

  Share Your Travels  

Latest Activity in Siena

Photos in Siena

See All Photos (11)

Top 10 Pages

See All Travel Pages (62)

Friends

See All Friends (19)

Travel Interests

See All Travel Interests (5)

Latest Siena hotel reviews

Jolly Hotel Siena
175 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 10, 2013
Hotel Villa Lecchi
89 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 21, 2013
Hotel Santa Caterina
244 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 20, 2013
Tenuta di Monaciano
11 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Sep 12, 2011
Miniresidenze Ciompi
2 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Nov 4, 2007
Agriturismo Borgo delle More Acquaviva di Montepulciano
7 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Aug 27, 2012
Hotel Executive Siena
7 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Oct 30, 2012
Relais La Suvera
158 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 21, 2013
Castel Monastero
96 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 17, 2013
Hotel Cannon d'Oro
124 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 21, 2013
Agriturismo La Selva
13 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Jul 16, 2012
Antica Torre Hotel Siena
17 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Dec 16, 2012
Residenze Siena in Centro
15 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 16, 2013
Athena Hotel Siena
505 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: May 22, 2013
Hotel San Marco
30 Reviews & Opinions
Latest: Sep 26, 2012