Renowned historical centre on the top of a hill between the valleys of the river Arno and the river Elsa, Siena is located in the south center of Tuscany, easy to reach nowadays thanks to the modern highways from Florence, Valdichiana and Grosseto.
At first Etruscan takeover, Siena was later on conquered from the Roman Empire and in the Middle Ages it was constantly the main enemy city of the Florence neighborhood. The popular Piazza del Campo public square, whose origin date back to 1300 is one of the most beautiful squares in Europe and it is the city symbol. Every year in summer, it takes place the Palio di Siena, the Palio racing is renewed 2 times in Piazza del Campo: the first time on the 2.nd of July and the second one on the 16.th of August.
Among the Palaces overlooking onto this fabulous square named of the field, the more important one is the Public or Town Hall Palace, to the left of which is set the Torre del Mangia, a beatiful tower taht as erected as the symbol of the municipal authority. The Palazzo Comunale hosts the Civic Museum that boasts valuable frescoes and tables of famous painters with works realized between 1300 and 1500.
It moreover deserves to remember that in Siena there is also the National Pinacoteca, with an immense collection that embraces all the 'senese' paintings.
The Dome of Siena is considered one of the most beautiful medieval churches in Italy and the Museum of the Opera del Duomo conserves many 'capolavori d'arte', among this masterchief is the ' Maestā' painted by Duccio da Buoninsegna.
Moreover, one can admire the paintings that reproduce the life of Santa Caterina da Siena and also some personal objects in the Cateriniano Sanctuary.
Other religious buildings of 'pregio' are the Basilica di San Domenico, an imposing and strict construction in Gotic-Cistercense style and the Church of San Francesco with the precious Egyptian Cross of one 'navata' where they are conserved frescoes and other works of art.
Under the tourist profile, Siena is one of the most demanded and attended Italian art cities, also thanks to the Chianti Classico area, the Brunello di Montalcino and Nobile di Montepulciano wines, and all the territory is rich in beautiful medieval cities.
In town and the immediate vicinities of Siena, there are many Lodge and Hotel of several typologies that range from modern to classic, from castles to entire medieval villages, someone with also a residential part of vacation apartments. Numerous Bed & Breakfast and small Guest Houses of "charme" are scattered mostly everywhere.
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