Introduction to Siena
siena is a walled mediaeval hill town in the heart of Tuscany 68 miles south of Florence (Firenze). It sits on the southern border of the Monte di Chianti, the famous wine and olive oil region. It was built in the thirteenth century by the successful bankers and wool traders. For several centuries Siena was in fierce competition with Firenze who at one point stooped as low as catapulting faeces over their walls in a failed attempt to start a plague. There are 55,000 residents and 20,000 students making it a lively place to live.
The pedestrianised centro storico is built around one of the piu bella piazzas in Italy. This shell shaped Piazza del Campo slopes gently down to the fourteenth century bell tower Torre del Mangia. From the top there are views over Tuscany, Siena and the humbug-striped Duomo (1136-1382). The University for Foreigners Universitli per Stranieri di Siena offers high quality language courses in the centre of the old town. Siena has excellent public transport links across Italy so it is a good place to be based.
Don't Miss: Da Non Perdere
- the view from the 102m Torre del Mangia, Italy's second tallest medieval tower
- Il Palio: Siena goes crazy during this biannual horse race on 2 July and 16 August
- a siesta on the warm bricks of the Piazza del Campo
- sunset over Tuscany from the quiet walls of the Fortezza Medicea (The Fort) eating panforte in the town where it was invented
- Tuscany's famous ribollita (vegetable and bean soup) drizzled with novella olive oil
- Siena Jazz Festival: for a fortnight from the end of July (www.sienajazzit)
- the Settimana dei Vini (wine week) in the first ten days of June
- vineyard hopping across Chianti
- weekends walking in Chianti and the Tuscan forests
- the striped marble Duomo - Esquisito! (it's exquisite!).
