Guide of Siena - Points of Interest
The Sangallo Park Hotel Siena is pleased to offer a Guide of Siena with the major points of interest (P.O.I.). The guide is intended to be an instrument to visit the historic center of Siena and its most striking and distinctive sites. Surrounded by the olive groves and vineyards of Chianti, Siena is one of the most beautiful cities of Tuscany. Built on top of three hills, it is crossed by many lanes and narrow alleys which lead to heart of the city. Famous for the Palio, the historic horse race, which is held every year on July 2 and August 16, Siena also houses one of the oldest Universities in Europe. Few regions around the world can boast the presence of four UNESCO sites: the historical towns of Siena, San Gimignano, Pienza and the Val d'Orcia. With its beautiful natural and artistic sites, Siena is an excellent starting point to experience Tuscany.
The Palazzo Pubblico - The Civic Museum - The Mangia Tower
The Palazzo Pubblico of Siena is the symbol of one of the most prosperous periods of the Siennese Republic: it was the Government of the Nine to decide its construction in 1297. Inside it you will find the Civic Museum with its splendid rooms frescoed by Lorenzetti.
Piazza del Campo
Piazza del Campo is the heart of Siena. It's one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. It has a unique shell shape and it's enclosed by the smooth lines of the buildings surrounding it. In the center stands Fonte Gaia. The Palio of Siena takes place here.
The Palio of Siena - The Contrade and their Museums
The Palio is a unique event: a breathtaking race around the Piazza del Campo in Siena, an incredible festival which involves the entire city and its Contrade; it takes place on July 2nd and on August 16th every year.
The Museum of Santa Maria della Scala
The Santa Maria della Scala, in front of the Duomo of Siena, was in the past a place of shelter and care. Today is one of the largest Museum and Cultural Centers in Europe. It contains the Archaeological Museum, the Centre for Contemporary Art and the Children's Museum.
The Cathedral - Crypt - Baptistery - Museum of the Opera del Duomo
In the cathedral of Siena, built in Romanesque-Gothic style, you can admire frescoes by Pinturicchio in the Library, the inlaid floor, artworks by Duccio, Pisano, Bernini, Michelangelo, Donatello. Very interesting are the Crypt and the Baptistery.
National Gallery of Siena - Palazzo Brigidi and Buonsignori
The National Gallery, full of the masterpieces of Sienese painters of the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, is housed in the rooms of two old palaces: Palazzo Buonsignori and Palazzo Brigidi, residences of two of the most important families of Siena in the Middle Ages.
Palazzo Chigi Saracini - Chigiana Music Academy
Perhaps the most beautiful medieval mansion of Siena, it was the seat of the Council of the Rulers of the Republic. In the Thirties it became the seat of the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, the Art Collection and the Museum of Musical Instruments.
Fisiocritici Academy - Museum of Natural History of Siena
The Academy of the Fisiocritici and the Museum of Natural History of Siena, created by the academics to prove the truth of thephenomena of nature, are housed in a prestigious former Convent of the Camaldolesi Monks.
The Basilic of San Francesco in Siena - Sacred Art Museum
The Basilica of St. Francis is one of the most important churches in Siena. Impressive and wide, it was built with the typical architecture of the mendicant orders. Besides, the Oratory of San Bernardino houses the Museum of Holy Art.
The Sanctuary of Santa Caterina da Siena
The sanctuary of Santa Caterina is a place dedicated to the memory and the cult of St. Catherine, patron saint of Italy. Here lived Caterina Benincasa (1347 - 1380), one of the most important mystical figures in the history of the Church.
The Basilic of San Domenico in Siena
It's one of the largest churches of Siena. It was built between 1226 and 1265. Ancient place of worship of the Terziarie Domenicane Nuns ( called Mantellate ), it is associated with St. Catherine's life.
The Herbarium - The Botanical Garden of Siena
The Botanical Museum of Siena gathers the Herbarium and the Botanical Garden of the Department of Environmental Sciences of the University of Studies. They have as their object the protection and enhancement of natural heritage and historical science.
Palazzo Piccolomini - State Archives - Museum of Biccherne
It was the residence of the noble Piccolomini family, bankers of the papal court, one of the most important and influential families of Siena. It hosts government offices since 1824, like the Scrittoio delle Regie Factories, now the State Archives and the Museum of the Biccherne.
The Medici Fortress in Siena
The Medicean Fortress Siena is an imposing fortress, a great quadrangle, strengthened by four pentagonal bastions at the corners. It was built around 1560 by Cosimo de 'Medici on the ruins of a Spanish fortress.
Water Museum of Siena - Sources - Bottini
The Water Museum of Siena describes the underground city and the system of fountains and bottini, bringing the water into town since the Middle Ages.