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Piazza del Campo, 53100 Siena, Italy (September 2018)
Siena
Siena is a city that feels suspended in time, rising from the rolling hills of Tuscany with a quiet confidence shaped by centuries of history, rivalry, and civic pride. Unlike cities that reveal themselves all at once, Siena unfolds gradually through its winding streets and sudden vistas, rewarding those who explore at a slower pace. Built largely of warm brick and stone, the city retains an extraordinary unity of appearance, as if the Middle Ages never quite released their hold.
At the heart of Siena lies the Piazza del Campo, one of the most celebrated public squares in Europe. Its distinctive shell shape slopes gently toward the Palazzo Pubblico and the slender Torre del Mangia, creating a natural stage where the city’s life has played out for centuries. Twice each summer, the square becomes the setting for the Palio, Siena’s famed horse race, in which the city’s neighbourhoods, or contrade, compete with fierce loyalty and pageantry. More than a sporting event, the Palio is a living expression of Siena’s identity, blending ritual, history, and community into a spectacle that captivates both locals and visitors.
Siena’s artistic and architectural heritage reflects its prominence during the Middle Ages, when it rivalled Florence as a centre of power, banking, and culture. The Siena Cathedral, or Duomo, stands as a striking testament to this era. Its black-and-white marble façade, richly decorated interior, and mosaic-covered floors reveal a city that once dreamed on a monumental scale. Nearby, museums and churches house masterpieces of the Sienese School of painting, whose artists favoured elegance, colour, and spiritual intensity over the realism that later defined the Renaissance elsewhere.
Yet Siena is not a museum frozen in the past. It is a living city where medieval streets lead to bustling markets, university students fill cafés, and daily life unfolds within ancient walls. Each contrada functions as a small community with its own traditions, symbols, and social life, creating a sense of belonging that continues to shape the city’s character. This strong local identity is felt everywhere, from neighbourhood festivals to the pride with which residents speak of their district.
The surrounding Tuscan landscape forms an essential part of Siena’s appeal. Beyond the city gates, rolling fields, vineyards, and cypress-lined roads stretch toward the horizon, reinforcing Siena’s historic connection to the countryside. Local cuisine reflects this bond, favouring hearty, seasonal dishes such as pici pasta, wild boar, legumes, and rustic breads. Simple ingredients are transformed through time-honoured techniques, often paired with wines from nearby regions like Chianti and Brunello di Montalcino.
Siena offers an experience defined not by spectacle alone, but by atmosphere and continuity. Its beauty lies in harmony: between architecture and landscape, tradition and daily life, pride and restraint. To walk through Siena is to sense the enduring strength of a community that has preserved its identity with remarkable care, inviting visitors to step into a city where history remains vividly, and gracefully, present.
Worth a Visit
The Church of Santa Maria in Portico a Fontegiusta is a Renaissance jewel located on Via di Fontegiusta in Siena, Italy. Built between 1482 and 1484, it was commissioned to commemorate the Sienese victory over Florence at the Battle of Poggio Imperiale in 1479. The design is attributed to Francesco di Giorgio Martini, one of Siena’s most important Renaissance architects, and the church reflects his refined classical style. The façade, completed later in the 16th century, presents elegant proportions in travertine. Inside, visitors can admire works by notable artists such as Francesco Vanni, Bernardino Fungai, and Ventura Salimbeni, alongside a graceful marble altar. Particularly striking are the frescoes and the harmonious atmosphere created by the bright interior. The church is a quiet yet culturally rich stop, often overlooked compared to Siena’s cathedral, but it offers an intimate glimpse into the city’s artistic and spiritual heritage.
Giardini la Lizza is a charming public garden located along Viale Rinaldo Franci, just outside Siena’s historic city walls. Once part of the city’s medieval fortifications, the area was transformed into a green space in the 19th century and today serves as one of Siena’s most popular urban parks. The gardens offer a peaceful retreat from the bustling streets, with tree-lined avenues, wide lawns, and shaded benches that make it an inviting place for relaxation. A central feature is the monument to Giuseppe Garibaldi, the Italian national hero, which adds historical significance to the setting. The park is also a lively spot for cultural events, open-air markets, and seasonal fairs, attracting both locals and visitors. Conveniently located near the Medicean Fortress and the Stadio Artemio Franchi, Giardini la Lizza provides a pleasant blend of leisure, history, and community life within walking distance of Siena’s city centre.
Piazza del Campo is the heart of Siena and one of the most famous medieval squares in Europe. Renowned for its unique shell shape and harmonious design, it has been the city’s social, political, and cultural centre since the Middle Ages. Surrounded by elegant palazzi, the square is dominated by the Palazzo Pubblico with its tall Torre del Mangia, offering breath-taking views over Siena and the Tuscan countryside. At its centre stands the Fonte Gaia, a monumental fountain that symbolizes prosperity and civic pride. Piazza del Campo is world-famous for hosting the Palio di Siena, a thrilling horse race held twice a year, which transforms the square into a vibrant stage of tradition, rivalry, and celebration. Today, visitors can enjoy cafés and restaurants lining the square, making it a lively gathering place. Piazza del Campo is not only Siena’s heart but also a masterpiece of urban planning and civic identity.
Piazza del Duomo is one of Siena’s most evocative and historically rich squares, located in the heart of the city. It is best known as the setting of the magnificent Siena Cathedral (Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta), a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture. The piazza is framed by important buildings such as the Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, housing precious artworks, and the Baptistery of San Giovanni, with its stunning Renaissance decorations. Here, visitors can admire the striking black-and-white striped marble of the cathedral’s façade, designed by Giovanni Pisano, and the impressive marble steps that lead into the church. The square has long been a hub of religious and civic life, embodying Siena’s devotion, artistic heritage, and sense of grandeur. Today, Piazza del Duomo remains a vibrant place where history, art, and spirituality come together, offering travellers a chance to experience the city’s cultural soul in an unforgettable setting.
Photo Gallery of Walk 1 – Stazione Ferroviaria Siena to Giardini la Lizza
Approximately 1.85 km – 1.15 miles
The walk starts at Stazione Ferroviaria Siena – Enter the Shopping Centre opposite and ascend using the escalators and travelators to Viale Vittorio Emanuele II – Viale Camillo Benso di Cavour – Parrocchia S. Petronilla walk back to Viale Vittorio Emanuele II – Porta Camollia – Piazza Guido Chigi Saracini – Via Campansi – Via Camollia – San Pietro Alla Magione, Via Camollia – Via Di Fontegiusta – Chiesa di Santa Maria in Portico a Fontegiusta – walk back to Via Camollia – Via Campansi – Via dei Montanini – Chiesa di Sant’Andrea, Via dei Montanini – Via Sasso di S. Bernardino – Piazza Antonio Gramsci – Giardini la Lizza
Photo Gallery of Walk 2 – Piazza Antonio Gramsci to Via di Città
Approximately 1.41 km – 0.88 miles
The walk starts in Piazza Antonio Gramsci – Via Sasso di S. Bernardino – Via dei Montanini – Piazza Salimbeni – Via dei Montanini – Piazza Tolomei – Via Cecco Angiolieri – Piazza Tolomei – Via Banchi di Sopra – Vicolo S. Pietro – Piazza del Campo – Costa Barbieri – Via di Città – Fondazione Accademia Musicale Chigiana – Onlus, Via di Città – Via di Città – Via del Castoro – Piazza Jacopo della Quercia – Piazza del Duomo – Via del Capitano – Via di Città
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