Siena: The Perfect Day Trip from Florence

Historical Context

Perched atop the rolling hills of Tuscany’s Val d'Orcia, Siena is a beautifully preserved Gothic city located just 30 miles (48 km) south of Florence.

Built up between the 12th and 15th centuries, Siena is also a marvel of urban planning: developed on three adjacent hills, the city is connected by three major streets that form the shape of a Y, converging in a valley that is now the Piazza del Campo, the main square. Since medieval times, the city has been divided into 17 contrade (wards), each represented by a different animal mascot and each with its own distinct identity. The rivalries between the different wards come to a head every summer during the Palio, a traditional horse race held in the Piazza del Campo on July 2 and August 16 of each year. The Palio, which has been held since medieval times, consists of riders from the different wards riding horses bareback for three laps around the square, dressed in traditional clothing in the colors of their respective wards. Riders can be thrown from their horses while going around the sharp turns of the piazza, and in fact the winning horse does not need to be carrying its rider to win the race.

Even if you are not able to time your visit for the Palio, come to marvel at Siena’s stunning physical setting and its remarkably preserved medieval architecture and character. Beyond several significant Renaissance painters, Siena is also home to the world’s oldest bank––Monte dei Paschi, established in 1472––and one of the world’s oldest universities, founded in 1240.  Only a short train ride from Florence, Siena makes for a not-to-be-missed day trip.

Points of Interest

Piazza del Campo

Siena’s shell-shaped main square is considered one of Europe’s finest medieval squares thanks to the magnificence and preservation of its architecture.

The square’s centerpiece is the Palazzo Pubblico, originally the seat of government of the Republic of Siena, and the adjacent Torre del Mangia, a colossal 335-foot (102 m) tower overlooking the whole city. This large open expanse was once home to a market established at the convergence of the three separate hillside towns that came together to form the city of Siena.

Duomo di Siena

Siena’s 13th-century Gothic cathedral is one of the finest in Italy. Its intricate facade and its black-and-white striped marble bell tower make it one of the city’s foremost landmarks.