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Siena Travel Guide: 890 reviews and 2,681 photos
One of countless gems in Italy, Siena shines as a Mediaeval fantasy. The small city is perched on the peaks of Tuscan hills, along Via Francigena, the Mediaeval road that ran through Italy and linked western Europe with the wealthy Near East. Merchants, Crusaders, and pilgrims travelling this road allowed Siena to grow by the 12th century into a prosperous trading entrepôt and a banking centre. Some of Siena’s streets are still named “banchi…” in references to the money-lending benches that existed in Tuscany in Mediaeval times and ultimately gave us the word “bank” (furthermore, the well-known Italian bank, Monte dei Paschi di Siena, is one of the world’s oldest banks, founded in 1472). In the 12th century, Siena also gained independence from bishopric rule and became a small independent city-state, but its subsequent territorial expansion made it come face-to-face with the Tuscan powerhouse and rival, Florence, which happened to also be on the opposite side of the Guelph-Ghibelline struggles. The two cities inflicted much damage on each other in two significant battles, the last of which was lost by Siena in 1269. This led the city to focus its wealth and energies inwards, laying the foundation for a cultural, artistic, and architectural revolution for years to come, the height of which occurred when the city was ruled by il Governo dei Nove, the Government of the Nine. Unfortunately, this ephemeral golden age came to an end in 1348, when the Plague killed around 70% of the city’s population. Although this tragic event did not stop Siena’s cultural and artistic contributions for a couple of centuries, it did prevent the city from achieving some of its mighty architectural dreams and left us with one of the largest and best preserved Mediaeval cities in Italy.
Road Trip through Italy itinerary - May 2009:
Roma - Siena - San Gimignano - la Spezia - Portovenere - San Remo - Cannes - Portofino - Santa Margherita - Pisa - Roma
Reviews (43)
Senius, son of Remus
Local Customs
(2)
Scattered around Siena are several statues raised on a column of a female wolf suckling two babies, an image considered... more travel advice
le Due Porte
Things to Do
(39)
Known as le Due Porte (the Two Gates), this archway was once a gate in the first non-extant city walls. It was... more travel advice
Torre dei Forteguerri
Things to Do
(39)
Located on Via di Città at Piazza di Postierla, this lone mediaeval tower known as Torre dei Forteguerri was part of the... more travel advice
Fortezza Medicea
Things to Do
(39)
Located on the edge of the historic centre of Siena, la Fortezza Medicea is a defensive castle. Apart from a few... more travel advice
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Siena Travel Guide
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Share Your TravelsLatest Activity in Siena
- Posted in Travel Turkey Forum "Re: Sagalassos"
- updated a Siena Travelogue "Siena's Mediaeval Architecture - May 2009"
- Wrote a Review Senius, son of Remus in Siena Local Customs
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Food and Dining
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Comments (2)
Excellent Sienna page! The Cathedral is amazing, glad you took lots of photos to share!
Another lovely opening photo - your picture-taking skills have improved considerably :-) Siena's Duomo is probably one of the most jaw-dropping I've seen.