Siena, Italy — Where to Go
Siena Sightseeing Overview
Siena’s historic center is enclosed within the city walls. It must be explored on foot as the city is closed to all traffic.
The main attraction is the central Piazza del Campo, where the annual Palio (historic horse-race) is held. It is dominated by the medieval Palazzo Pubblico, home to the main city museum (Museo Civico) and the Torre del Mangia, a 102m (334ft) tower.
Around this radiate the terzi, the three districts into which the city is divided. The oldest, the terzo di Citta, is linked to the Campo by Via di Citta, and is the tourist hub containing the Duomo (Cathedral), the museum of Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala, and the Pinacoteca (Art Gallery) which contains a fine collection of Sienese paintings.
North of the Campo is the terzo di Camollia, home to Siena’s smartest shopping street, Via Banchi di Sopra. Southeast of the Campo is the terzo di San Martino, which contains the city’s Renaissance buildings.
Siena Tourist Information
APT Siena
Piazza del Campo 56
Tel: (0577) 280 551.
Website: www.terresiena.it
Siena Sightseeing
A cumulative ticket, valid for three days, is available, giving entry to the Duomo, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, the Baptistery, Crypt and the Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra (Museum of sacred art).
Two Renaissance Trail passes are available throughout 2008. A city center ticket covers entry to the Museo Civico, Duomo, Santa Maria della Scala, and Pinacoteca Nazionale. A province ticket covers entry to museums in the outlying towns of Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Asciano and Buonconvento. For more information see www.rinascimento.terresiena.it.
Siena Sightseeing
A cumulative ticket, valid for three days, is available, giving entry to the Duomo, Museo dell’Opera del Duomo, the Baptistery, Crypt and the Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra (Museum of sacred art).
Two Renaissance Trail passes are available throughout 2008. A city center ticket covers entry to the Museo Civico, Duomo, Santa Maria della Scala, and Pinacoteca Nazionale. A province ticket covers entry to museums in the outlying towns of Pienza, Montalcino, Montepulciano, Asciano and Buonconvento. For more information see www.rinascimento.terresiena.it.
Key Attractions in Siena, Italy
Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia (Public Palace and Mangia Tower)
The palazzo has been home to the city authorities since the 13th century. Now its finest rooms are open to the public - most famous is the Sale della Pace, with medieval panoramic frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. The tower can be visited separately and offers superb views over the city.
Piazza del Campo
Tel: (0577) 292 226.
Website: www.comune.siena.it
Il Duomo (The Cathedral)
The 12th-century Duomo (Cathedral) has a stunning, zebra-striped interior and a lavish floor covered in mosaics (protected from view and uncovered only August and September - dates vary annually). It also contains the Piccolomini Library, containing vibrant frescoes by Pinturicchio.
Piazza Duomo
Tel: (0577) 283 048.
Website: www.operaduomo.siena.it
Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery)
Situated behind the cathedral, the Baptistery dates back to the 14th century. The walls are covered with brightly colored frescoes, while the centerpiece is the baptismal font, which is decorated with bronze carvings by artists such as Ghiberti and Donatello.
Piazza San Giovanni
Tel: (0577) 283 048.
Website: www.operaduomo.siena.it
Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala (Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala)
Dating back to the 11th century, this was a pilgrims’ hostel that became the city’s main hospital - treating patients until the 1980s. Now it contains artworks, an archaeological museum and exhibition space. The highlight is a former ward, the Sala del Pellegrinaio, which is covered with 15th-century frescoes of daily life.
Piazza del Duomo
Tel: (0577) 224 811.
Website: www.santamariadellascala.com
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo
This museum contains much of the cathedral’s extensive art collection. There are sculptures, a Byzantine altar piece and gilded paintings by Duccio di Buoninsegna. Spiral steps lead to the Panorama dal Facciatone, a vertiginous lookout point.
Piazza della Quercia (beside the Duomo)
Tel: (0577) 283 048.
Website: www.operaduomo.siena.it
Pinacoteca Nazionale (National Art Gallery)
This art gallery is filled with stunning paintings of the Sienese school which flourished in the 13th century. Richly gilded, they include the tiny Madonna dei Francescani by Duccio.
Via San Pietro 29
Tel: (0577) 281 161.
Website: www.operaduomo.siena.it
Palazzo delle Papesse
Built as a palace in the 15th century, this now houses a center for changing exhibitions of contemporary art. Works by international, as well as Italian artists are shown.
Via di Citta 126
Tel: (0577) 22071.
Website: www.papesse.org
Further Distractions
Museo delle Tavolette di Biccherna
Housed in a 14th-century palace, the biccherne are the illustrated wooden covers that protected the city’s accounting sheets. They date back to 1257 and contain fascinating scenes of daily life in medieval Siena.
Palazzo Piccolomini
Via Banchi di Sotto 52
Tel: (0577) 247 145.
Website: http://assi.archivi.beniculturali.it/archistato_6_01.htm
Cripta di San Giovanni
This frescoed ‘crypt’ was probably the original pilgrims’ entrance to the cathedral and was only rediscovered in 1999 by workmen. It is just behind the cathedral and contains medieval frescoes and even ancient graffiti.
Piazza della Quercia
Tel: (0577) 283 048.
Website: www.operaduomo.siena.it
