Siena A city of Tuscany in northern Italy that became an important rival of Florence during the Renaissance. Founded by the ancient Etruscans, Siena came under the control of the Lombards after the fall of the Roman Empire in the middle of the fifth century. Siena, A Step back to Medieval Tuscany. Siena is likely Italy's loveliest medieval city, and a trip worth making even if you are in Tuscany for just a few days.
Siena'sheart is its central piazza known as Il Campo, known worldwide for the famous Palio run here, a horse race run around the piazza two times every summer. The first buildings that will catch your eyes are the majestic medieval watchtowers where wealthy families lived and were well protected from enemy attacks. As you turn left and right, admire every building of this charming village where locals still live peacefully.
It is a quiet village that has descended through time from the Etruscan period to the Romans, from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance and from the Medici and the Lorena nobility. San Gimignano has always been extremely important for an economy based on agriculture. Fifteen watchtowers are visible today seventy-two existed in the Middle Ages and tourists have heard it referred to as the "Medieval Manhattan". Siena Saena Julia , was founded by the Romans as a military colony due to its position on a hilltop, incredibly strategic that also the Medici from Florence decides to conquer it.
On the way to Siena we will also stop in Monteriggioni, a spectacular fortress, completely intact. Coffee or Cappuccino break is a must! We will then proceed to Siena. The architecture of Siena will take your breath away! Just a few minutes down the main street you will reach the famous Piazza del Campo "The Campo", a unique "shell shaped" square facing one of the tallest towers in Italy, the Torre del Mangia Mangia's Tower.
The Campo is also know for the Palio, a crazy horse race still going on every year in Siena since ancient times. Around lunch time we will leave Siena to head to San Gimignano, probably the most beautiful medieval village in our region. You will recognize San Gimignano immediately as 13 watch towers stand in the middle of the village.
