Siena

Siena is a ‘must-see’ when you visit Tuscany. It’s full of history, art, antiques, restaurants and great shops.

Siena has 17 districts (“contrade”) that are like small villages in itself. They carry funny names like district of the giraffe, goose, wolf or slag. On every street corner where a new quarter begins, you’ll see a shield against the wall bearing the coat of arms of the district. Siena is virtually car-free and therefore ideal for walks. Avoiding the central square Piazza del Campo is easier said than done. The street plan is such that any “inadvertent” walker always ends up at the square. The bell tower next to the enormous Palazzo Pubblico is visible from every corner of the city. In ancient days the battles in the hills around Siena were watched from the top. Updates were passed on to the people who stood down. Visitors can still climb the tower and enjoy the fantastic view. The Palazzo next to it is now a museum of medieval art.