The art, the history, the flavors, the atmosphere: Siena is a city full of treasures that always manages to surprise even those who know her well. If you only have two days to visit, do not let that disheartened you: we offer you a route between the attractions of the city of the Palio to spend an unforgettable weekend.
We start from Piazza del Campo, once a medieval market, today one of the most beautiful squares in Italy.
Climb the Torre del Mangia to admire the panorama of the city, then visit the Palazzo Pubblico, built in the beginning of 300 from the Government of the Nine of the Republic of Siena, which now houses besides the City Council offices also houses the Civic Museum. Here are preserved works of art unique in the world, such as the frescoes of Spinello Aretino dedicated to the life of the sienese pope Alexander III, with splendid battle scenes, or the Majesty of Simone Martini in the Sala del Mappamondo.
In the Hall of the Nine, is located the masterpiece of Ambrogio Lorenzetti: the Allegory of Good and Bad Government, where you can admire how it was in Siena in the Fourteenth century, with scenes of everyday life and the countryside outside the Porta Romana up to the outlet to the sea of Talamone. Two feature: in the figure, you can see the profile of Dante, while the Peace, represented as a woman with pale clothes, was chosen by Unesco to be the international symbol of peace.
Now, let's introduce you to another treasure-trove of wealth and history: the majestic Cathedral, you can admire the Facciatone was left unfinished because of the plague of 1348. The Cathedral is a museum of masterpieces such as the pulpit by Nicola Pisano, with the Piccolomini library with frescoes by Pinturicchio, St. John the Baptist carved by Donatello, and the four statue of Michelangelo in Carrara marble for the Piccolomini Altar: st. Peter, St. Pius, st. Paul and St. Gregory the great.
If you want a tasty break, among the specialties of siena, don't miss the Cinta meats and the pecorino cheese as appetizers, and then move to the Pici, a type of pasta similar to spaghetti strictly pulled by hand, accompanied by a bottle of wine of the Terre di Siena. As a dessert it is obligatory to taste the panforte or the ricciarelli, the ancient pastries of the city made with almonds and spices.