Appianline - Roma

Siena is one of Italian most beautiful cities, situated in the center of Tuscany between the Chianti area and Maremma, rich in history, art and popular traditions. Of Etruscan origin, it was a Roman colony with the name of Sena Julia; its importance grew in the Middle Ages and after a long period of episcopal dominion (9^th -11th century) the town reached a peak of power after becoming a municipality (1147), undertaking a policy of expansion towards the bordering territories. Competition with Florence was inevitable and the struggle lasted, with various vicissitudes, until 1555 when Siena was conquered by the Florentines, lost its autonomy and became part of the Duchy, sharing its fortunes until unification with Italy.

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Situated 322 m. above sea level in the heart of Tuscany, this town is built on three hills, maintaining intact its medieval appearance characterized by narrow winding streets and noble buildings.
The territory of Siena is famous all over the world also for its valuable wines and local products: Red wines from Chianti to Brunello and white ones from the Vernaccia of S. Gimignano to the Bianco Valdarbia; extravirgin olive-oil, sheep's cheese from the clay hill area, durum wheat, special sweetmeats, honey from Montalcino, truffles from San Giovanni d'Asso and Asciano, charcuterie, finely-tasting meats from the "Chianina" cattle: all these are the basics of the well-flavoured Sienese food. They are the most important elements of this cuisine, where the importance of the spit and grill has been preserved for achieving light, lean and tasty dishes; with the constant fundamentals of oil, vegetables and good bread baked without salt, which is at the base of the traditional Sienese soups. Some events of international reputation take place in Siena such as the Palio of Contrade (2nd July and 16th August), St. Caterina's Celebration (29th April), Musical Weeks in Siena (September).

Siena to see

This town is of great environmental and artistic interest with a wealth of important monuments including: Piazza del Campo , one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Italy, Palazzo Pubblico (13th-14th century in Gothic style) overlooked by the bold Torre del Mangia (14th century, 102 m. high) and Palazzo Sansedoni (13th-14th century, altered in the 19th century); in Piazza del Duomo lie the Duomo (12th-14th century), one of the best examples of Gothic in Italy, with beautiful graffito and intarsia flooring, Libreria Piccolomini (in the left aisle, with valuable 16th century frescoes) and the 14th century Baptistry (font by Jacopo della Quercia), the Spedale di S. Maria della Scala (13th-14th century) and the remains of the Duomo Nuovo (14th century).

In the surroundings: the incomparable scenic beauty of the Chianti lands, with their patchwork of vines and olive trees standing out in orderly rows against the hills tamed by the farmers' skill. On top of the hills people of olden days erected the walls of Monteriggioni and San Gimignano, busy tourist centres nowadays, silhouetted like solitary horsemen against the profile of the moon.

Towards the west are waves of manifold panoramas: the vast shady woodlands of the Montagnola linked to those belonging to the villages of Monticiano and Chiusdino.

The waters of the Merse and Farma rivers give life to habitats of great naturalistic interest.
Yet the city of Siena is the heart of this extraordinary geographical and environmental repertory, where every town, village or hamlet contains art treasures and historical evidence of priceless value.