Welcome to Siena, a magical medieval city in the heart of Tuscany! π» Get ready to explore cobbled streets, historic monuments, and indulge in delicious food. Here’s your ultimate guide for a day of fun and adventure in Siena! πΆββοΈπ·
Welcome to Siena, a magical medieval city in the heart of Tuscany! π» Get ready to explore cobbled streets, historic monuments, and indulge in delicious food. Here’s your ultimate guide for a day of fun and adventure in Siena! πΆββοΈπ·
Feeling adventurous? Climb the Torre del Mangia for breathtaking views of Siena and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. The tower is 102 meters tall, so get ready for some stairs! πββοΈ Did you know? The tower is named after its first bell ringer, nicknamed “Mangiaguadagni” (Earnings Eater) because he spent all his money on food! ππ
Kick off your day at the stunning Piazza del Campo, the heart of Siena. This unique shell-shaped square is where the famous Palio horse race occurs twice a year. Fun fact: the Palio dates back to the 12th century! π
Next, head to the Palazzo Pubblico. This gothic building houses the Civic Museum, where you can admire stunning frescoes like Simone Martini’s “MaestΓ .” π¨ Fun fact: Look out for the “Allegory of Good and Bad Government” by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, a masterpiece that shows how different governing styles affect the city! π
Step into the Piccolomini Library inside the Duomo. Decorated with vibrant frescoes by Pinturicchio, it’s like stepping into a Renaissance storybook. π Look closely, and you might spot some hidden portraits of Pinturicchio himself among the paintings! π
Prepare to be amazed by the Duomo di Siena. This cathedral’s black and white striped interior is truly unique. Donβt miss the intricate marble floor, uncovered for viewing from June to July and mid-August to mid-October. π Fun fact: The cathedral was supposed to be even bigger, but construction stopped due to the Black Death in the 14th century. π¦
Itβs time to refuel! Head to a local trattoria and savour some Sienese specialities. Try Pici (thick hand-rolled pasta) with wild boar ragΓΉ or a hearty bowl of Ribollita (a traditional Tuscan soup). Donβt forget a glass of Chianti! ππ· Did you know? Sienaβs traditional bread, panforte, is a dense, sweet treat originally made as a Christmas gift for local nuns! π
Visit the medieval Fontebranda Fountain, once a crucial water source for the city. Even Dante mentioned it in his “Divine Comedy”! π Legend has it that the water here was so pure it was used to make the cityβs famous sweets! π¬
Siena is divided into 17 Contrade neighbourhoods, each with unique emblems and traditions. Wander through these historic districts and soak up the local culture. π Fun fact: The rivalry between Contrade is so intense that some even have their anthems and flags! πΆ
Explore the charming shops on Via Banchi di Sopra and Via di CittΓ for some retail therapy. Pick up some hand-painted ceramics or delicious Tuscan treats. π― Fun fact: Siena is famous for its majolica pottery, intricately decorated with colourful designs. π¨
End your cultural tour at Santa Maria della Scala, an ancient hospital turned museum. Itβs a fascinating place with beautiful frescoes and a rich history of caring for pilgrims and the needy. π Fun fact: This hospital was one of Europeβs first, and it even had an orphanage and a shelter for abandoned children! πΆ
Finish your day with a relaxed dinner at a local restaurant. For an authentic taste, try the crostini neri (chicken liver pΓ’tΓ© on toast). And, of course, no day in Italy is complete without gelato! π¨ Did you know? Gelato was first created by Bernardo Buontalenti in Florence, just a short trip from Siena. π¦
1. Gelateria il Masgalano
2. La Vecchia Latteria – Via S. Pietro
3. Gelateria Nice
4. GROM
5. Nannini
The Palio di Siena is one of Italy’s most exciting and historic events, drawing visitors from all over the world. Hereβs everything you need to know about this spectacular horse race and why itβs such a special day in Siena! π
July 2nd: The Palio di Provenzano, dedicated to the Madonna of Provenzano.
August 16th: The Palio dell’Assunta, in honour of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary.
Both dates are steeped in tradition, and the city comes alive with festive energy and vibrant celebrations. Occasionally, a special Palio might be organised to commemorate extraordinary events, adding even more excitement! π
The Palio has its origins in medieval times, with the first official race held in 1644. However, the tradition of running horse races in Siena dates back even further, making it a deeply rooted cultural event. The race symbolizes not just a competition but the historical rivalries and alliances within the city.
Siena is divided into 17 Contrade (districts), each with its unique emblem, colours, and identity. The Contrade are at the heart of the Palio, with each one fielding a horse and jockey to compete. The intense rivalry and camaraderie among the Contrade bring a sense of community spirit and pride. π Fun fact: Some Contrade have mascots, like the goose for Contrada dell’Oca and the unicorn for Contrada dell’Aquila! π¦’π¦
Before the race, enjoy the Corteo Storico, a grand historical parade featuring over 600 participants in medieval costumes. Drummers, flag bearers, and representatives from each Contrada march through the streets, creating a colourful and vibrant spectacle. π
The race takes place in the beautiful Piazza del Campo, transformed into a racetrack with thick dirt. The trackβs challenging turns make for an adrenaline-fueled race, particularly the treacherous curve at San Martino. Only three laps long, the race lasts just around 90 seconds, but itβs packed with thrilling action. π Anecdote: In 1978, a riderless horse won the race, proving that in the Palio, it’s the horse’s determination that counts the most! π
Winning the Palio brings immense honour and pride to the Contrada. The victorious Contrada is awarded the Drappellone (a large painted banner), paraded through the streets and displayed in the Contradaβs museum. The celebration continues with feasts, songs, and festivities lasting for weeks! π
The Palio is more than just a race; it celebrates Sienaβs rich heritage, culture, and community. The city participates, from meticulously preparing costumes and decorations to passionate support for their Contrada. Whether youβre a local or a visitor, the Palioβs spirit is contagious, making it a truly unforgettable experience. β€οΈ
Arrive Early: Piazza del Campo fills up quickly. Arrive early to secure a good spot to watch the race.
Embrace the Crowd: The Palio is a busy event, but part of the charm is experiencing it with enthusiastic locals and fellow travellers.
Join the Festivities: Take part in the pre-race and post-race celebrations in the Contrade. Itβs a fantastic way to immerse yourself in the local culture.
Stay Safe: With large crowds and high energy, be mindful of your belongings and personal space.
Witnessing the Palio is like stepping into a living history book filled with passion, tradition, and excitement. Enjoy the race, the celebrations, and the unforgettable atmosphere of Siena on these special days! π°π
EXCELLENT Based on 65 reviews Elaine Yeoh8 November 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We engaged Antonio Cresce to plan and manage our 2.5 week holiday in Italy - covering regions around Turin, Lake Maggiore and Verona. He was amazing from the planning stages, helping us to pick towns as bases, according to our needs and interests . We had video calls with him where he listened to what we wanted and we planned the details together. When we were in Italy, he kept in close contact and was readily available for any questions or issues we came across . The hotels he chose were incredible , and the excursions from the towns we stayed in were interesting and great experiences. His contacts, his experience and his professionalism made our holiday in Italy seamless and a truly wonderful experience! We would highly recommend Antonio from Expert to Italy ! Chloe Van Someren25 October 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Just returned from a 2 week honeymoon and it could not have been better! Antonio helped us decide exactly where to go based on what we wanted and went above and beyond for us. His knowledge is incredible and everything was organised so well, he listened to us and answered every question we had along the way. Each place we stayed in was the best accommodation available in the area and we couldn't have asked for more, without his expertise the trip would not have been as perfect as it was. We will always go through him in future when heading to Italy. Jeremy Lewis14 September 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Antonio proved a fantastic agent. Nothing was too much trouble and he was super communicative and responsive He picked great hotels in great locations and our trip round Sicily was faultless Would recommend 100% Jo Davison29 August 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Antonio was very knowledgable and gave us some good tips. He helped create an itinerary and booked a hotel for us which we would never have known about without him. If you are looking to book a trip to Italy, Antonio is your guy! Nina Soloway12 August 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Thank you to Antonio for all the recommendations and ensuring that everything from hotels to transfers ran smoothly. Will definitely be in touch next time we plan to travel to Italy. Highly recommend. Claire Hubbard30 June 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We have just returned from a superb Southern Italy tour, organised expertly by Antonio. It exceeded our expectations and the communication was superb - both before and during the holiday. Antonio took time to understand what we enjoyed doing and provided information to enable us to get the most out of our time. The holiday was beyond words and we cannot be more grateful that we used Antonio and ExpertoItaly for our unforgettable holiday and would absolutely recommend. Richard Tuthill30 June 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Antonio arranged a fantastic Italian break for us in Tuscany. Very prompt always on hand to help and a nice guy. I highly recommend his services! Kay James21 June 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. We had an amazing trip organised by Antonio, we visited Naples for a few days then stayed in Santβ Agata. Both hotels had fabulous amenities and restaurants. The trip was effortless and everything was meticulously arranged. Antonio was also on had for anything we needed during the trip. I would definitely recommend Expert to Italy and we will definitely use this company again in the future Steve Newiss17 June 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. My wife and I had an excellent 2 centre week in Sicily. Antonio's advice was invaluable, ensuring that we had a holiday that fully met/exceeded our expectations. In addition all the logistics went delivering an enjoyable stress free break! Alex Pinnick16 June 2024Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. An absolutely stunning holiday. Organised totally by Antonio. His attention to detail was exceptional. All the train journey, ferry and taxi's all went like clockwork. Even when our train was delayed he changed the ferry tickets. He chose the Botania Hotel in Ischia, the service was the best we've had anywhere. The island is so beautiful. Antonio also gave us a list of where to vist on the Island. Would definitely use Antonio again for our next visit to Italy or Sicily.
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