A Day in Siena

If you are planning a stay in a self-catering property in Tuscany, you might want to spend some time exploring Siena.

Renowned as one of Italy's most enchanting cities, Siena is the perfect place to spend a day. With a historic medieval town centre, several attractive churches and a collection of fascinating museums, you are sure to find plenty of places to explore.

While legend states that Siena was founded by the son of Remus, its founders were most likely Etruscan and the settlement was a fully-fledged town by the first century BC.

However, it is Siena's medieval history that is arguably the most fascinating and you'll be able to get a firsthand glimpse of art and architecture from this time as you explore the city.

Siena was allied to Florence for nearly a century from the late 1200s and it is during this period that the city enjoyed prosperous growth. This is when many of the city's distinctive Gothic buildings were constructed, as well as landmarks including the magnificent Duomo cathedral, Palazzo Comunale and the famous Piazza del Campo.

The latter is not to be missed during a holiday to Siena. Considered to be one of the finest medieval squares in Europe, the piazza is known for its striking architectural design and plays host to a number of different events throughout the year.

Of these, the Palio di Siena is among the most exciting. This horse race is held twice a year and is a great favourite with locals and tourists alike.

Since 1966, motor traffic - with the exception of scooters - has been banned from the heart of the city, so you can stroll at your leisure without worrying about speeding cars.

In fact, the entire historic centre of Siena has been designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site thanks to its important medieval architecture.

If you want a deeper look into Siena's rich history, its art museums are also well worth exploring - particularly the Pinacoteca, which houses works dating back to its prosperous medieval heyday.

Whether you choose to base yourself in Siena or visit the city as part of your stay in Tuscany villas, you are sure to have a memorable break in this stunning historic destination.


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