| Three are the places you cannot absolutely miss | | | | stopped forever. Indeed, the original plans of the |
| when visiting Siena: Piazza del Campo, the Cathedral | | | | Duomo included two additional parts, with the existing |
| or Duomo, and the National Art Gallery or Pinacoteca. | | | | one being just the left nave. When you get to the |
| Let's start with Piazza del Campo. This square is the | | | | Duomo square do not forget to walk along the right |
| heart of Siena. This is where the world renown Palio | | | | external side of the Cathedral. Looking up you will |
| of Siena takes place twice a year. Here you will find | | | | realize that the upper walls and the marble columns, |
| the magnificent Torre del Mangia tower, finished | | | | now outside the building, were built to be part of the |
| building in 1348 and 102 meters (335 feet) tall, the | | | | inner structure of the central nave. Just try imagining |
| second tallest in Italy. All around you are some of the | | | | the size and splendor of what the Cathedral was |
| most prestigious restaurants in Italy, as they have | | | | supposed to become. Nonetheless, many think that |
| the privilege to offer you a sitting in such a | | | | the current size is just perfect for Siena. Entering the |
| breathtaking spot on earth. If you are in Siena during | | | | Duomo you will be astonished by the quantity of |
| the Palio days you will see a completely different | | | | wonderful masterpieces, one of the most important |
| picture of the city, and even more so of Piazza del | | | | being the hexagonal pulpit by Pisano. |
| Campo. The square is completely transformed, | | | | Right in front of the Duomo is the Santa Maria della |
| jumping back to the Renaissance when Palio races | | | | Scala, the former hospital of the city, now a museum |
| first started out employing cows instead of horses, | | | | with unique original frescoes and important exhibits. It |
| as it is custom today. The stone ring is covered by a | | | | is just staggering to think that in those very rooms |
| thick layer of dirt, more gentle on the hoofs of the | | | | adorned with wonderful masterpieces painted on |
| 10 racing horses; shops, restaurants and home | | | | walls and vaulted ceilings patients used to be cured |
| entrances are covered up by wooden bleechers; the | | | | right up to the year 1993. |
| inner ring is enclosed with solid wood railings, while | | | | The third stop of your visit is the National Art Gallery, |
| the windows of the town hall and the historic | | | | or Pinacoteca. You will find it in the 14th century |
| Chigi-Zonzadari, Sansedoni, and Piccolomini palaces are | | | | Buonsignori palace, 200 yards away from the Piazza |
| draped with their distinguishing heraldic. | | | | del Duomo. Here you will find the most complete |
| One senses that all is ready for the race. On any | | | | collection of Sienese paintings by artists such as |
| other week of the year Piazza del Campo preserves | | | | Duccio di Buoninsegna and Simone Martini. The gallery |
| all its fascinating beauty. This is the place where you | | | | includes works of art from the 11th to the 16th |
| have to be, especially while enjoying a Tuscan dish | | | | century. However, my advice is to focus on the |
| sitting under the shade of the Mangia tower. The | | | | Trecento school, being that the apex of Sienese |
| tower can also be visited inside. However, its 503 | | | | painting. |
| ancient steps to the top are for the brave ones only. | | | | This is the best way to get to know Siena on the |
| Leaving the piazza, just walk along Via di Citta' for 5 | | | | first visit. Piazza del Campo, the Duomo and the |
| minutes heading towards the Piazza del Duomo, | | | | Pinacoteca are the three must-see places of Siena |
| where you will find the wonderful Cathedral, so | | | | and you can't say to have visited the city if you miss |
| characteristic with its dark green and white marble | | | | one of them. One last advice: try to be in Siena |
| stripes. The Duomo is a wonderful Gothic building | | | | during the days right before the Palio (which is on |
| finished around the year 1348. The date is uncertain | | | | July 2 and August 16), unless you wish to see the |
| as the black plague of that year decimated the | | | | race itself. You will experience Siena at the highest of |
| population to the extent that works had to be | | | | its vitality. |