Email     Print     Bookmark & Share

Siena Holiday

Resort


Rants and Raves


Italy Map


Directory


Piazza del Campo, Siena

Piazza del Campo, Siena © Italian Tourist Board

Overview: Siena is a popular holiday destination. The red-brown stone of this medieval city throngs around Italy's finest old square, the Piazza del Campo. As old as the square itself are the traditions reverberating off its pavements twice yearly during the Palio delle Contrade. It is Italy's most colourful festival with rehearsals, processions and pageantry leading up to the climactic bare-back horse race around the Piazza. It is taken very seriously as it provides an outlet to the fierce rivalries that have raged for centuries among the town's 17 medieval districts.

All of Siena's streets are a delight to explore while on holiday but some of its most notable landmarks include the Torre de Mangia, Palazzo Pubblico, the Duomo, Palazzo Piccolomini, Pinacoteca Nazionale and Museo dell'Opera. Torre del Mangia is the bell tower to the left of Palazzo Pubblico which stands at 330ft (102m), the second highest in Italy. It is named after the first bell ringer who was known for his infuriating idleness. The Palazzo Pubblico still serves as Siena's town hall although sections of it are open to the public.

The Palazzo Piccolomini, built in 1460 for the prosperous Piccolomini family, contains Sienese state archives and financial records. The Pinacoteca Nazionale gallery is noted for its collection of works by artists of the Siena School. Siena's spectacular Duomo is unsurpassed amongst Italy's churches, built in full Gothic style. The carved pulpit panels, by Nicola Pisano, are magnificent depictions from The Life of Christ. Many of the original statues on the church's façade are copies; the originals are in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo.

Nearby Attractions

Chianti Region

A circular route from Siena through the Chianti hills is a scenic and sensory experience. The route covers the villages of the Chianti Classico wine region garnished with ancient castles and rambling farmhouses. The vineyards and wooded hills of the Chianti are best explored...  see full details


Chianti region, Tuscany

Etruscan Tour

Attracted by the mineral wealth found in the regions of Tuscany, Lazio and Umbria, the Etruscans made their way to Italy around 900 BC. Traces of Etruscan civilisation can be found in their burial sites and in the artefacts found in their tombs....  see full details


Montepulciano

Montepulciano is Tuscany's highest hilltop town, built along a narrow limestone ridge at 1,950ft (605m) above sea level. Sheltered within the town's fortified walls are charming streets packed with Renaissance-style palaces and churches. Its most celebrated achievement is its Vino Nobile wines. Also of...  see full details



Montepulciano



Compare the prices of flights to Tuscany. Search a huge range of deals online to find the best price.
Explore the gems of Italy on foot or by bike with a small intimate group of like-minded adventure seekers.
Thomson Holidays offers great value holidays to Italy, with cheap flights, hotels, apartments and villas. There is a £100 online booking discount at www.thomson.co.uk
iExplore designs made-to-order, privately-guided adventure tours to Italy and over 200 other world wonders. Come Back Different!
Planning a holiday to Italy? Visit Alpharooms for the best deals on apartments and hotels.
Research hotels and apartments in Italy at Tripreport.com. Impartial hotel reviews from 1000s of holidaymakers.
Please send me news and special offers for Siena.
Name:
Email:
Travel Agents!
Subscribe to Word Travels Professional: Email and print off customised travel guides for your clients. Brand this guide with your logo and contact details. Word Travels includes authorative and reliable information on thousands of destinations.