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Tuscany can be said to be the most alluring part of central Italy, so during our stay in Florence, we specially set aside a day to visit two medieval towns in succession—Siena and San Gimignano.
Siena is located in the suburbs of Florence, about an hour’s drive from the city center. This hilltop town still retains the landscape of the Middle Ages, with its bell towers, churches, and even residential buildings remaining authentic. The old city center was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, and this ancient town attracts over 150,000 visitors every year who come to glimpse its true charm.
Upon arriving in Siena, the first place we headed to was the central Piazza del Campo. Here, a traditional horse race known as the Palio is held every two years in July and August, and this carnival-like event is one of the most fascinating aspects of Siena.
We visited during summer, which is also the peak tourist season in Siena, with streets bustling with people. Among the sights, we noticed some interesting statues, such as the sculpture of the she-wolf nursing her twins. Legend has it that Siena was founded in 400 BC by Senius, the son of Remus, who was raised by a wolf.
Since its construction in the 14th century, Piazza del Campo has always been the heart of Siena. Surrounding the square are the 102-meter-high Torre del Mangia, the Palazzo Pubblico which houses the underground Chapel of the Virgin, as well as noble residences, restaurants, and shops. Most uniquely, the square is shell-shaped, paved with red bricks in a herringbone pattern, and marked by nine lines of limestone symbolizing the Council of Nine that once ruled Siena in the 13th century.
Eleven streets radiate from the square, connecting various parts of the hillside town, so even if you get lost, it’s easy to find your way back. The most prominent landmark on the otherwise empty square is the Fonte Gaia (Fountain of Joy), built from white marble. Though called a fountain, its original function in the 15th century was as part of the water distribution system, channeling water out into the surrounding fields. Today, the fountain no longer serves its purpose but has unexpectedly become a gathering spot for both tourists and pigeons.
The Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia in the square stand close together. Entering the atrium of the Palazzo Pubblico allows you to see the back of the bell tower, and if you climb to the top of Torre del Mangia, you can overlook the shell-shaped square.
Siena was one of the prosperous city-states that rivaled Florence during the Middle Ages, but unfortunately, it was struck by the Black Death in the 14th century, abruptly halting the town’s development.
Even today, walking through Siena feels like traveling back in time to medieval Europe. The uniform red-brick houses, winding and sloping narrow staircases, and the polished stone-paved streets all cast a magical spell, transporting visitors through time.
Saying there's a church every three steps in Siena is no exaggeration, but the most captivating one is undoubtedly the Siena Cathedral. Built with dark green and white marble, construction of the cathedral began in the 12th century and the façade was completed in the late 13th century. The cathedral features a design with winged aisles running north-south and a nave running east-west, but construction was halted due to funding issues after the wings and eastern wall were built, otherwise the cathedral would surely be even more magnificent today.
The main façade of the cathedral is Gothic with pointed spires, yet its three front doors use Romanesque arches. The central rose window is surrounded by 36 statues of bishops and prophets, and the exquisite detail of each statue on the walls is truly breathtaking. Behind it, the black-and-white striped Campanile bell tower is also very eye-catching, with its windows decreasing in size from the first to the sixth floor, forming an intriguing inverted triangle.
In addition to the striking cathedral, the town is home to other notable churches such as the Basilica of San Francesco, the Church of Santa Maria dei Servi, and the Church of San Cristoforo—one of the oldest churches. There are countless churches large and small; aside from admiring their different architectural styles, you definitely shouldn’t miss the remarkable collections inside. But to explore each one carefully, you’ll really need excellent stamina… ha.
↓ Neo-Gothic Basilica of San Francesco
↓ Roman Catholic Church of Santa Maria dei Servi
↓ Church of San Cristoforo, preserved since the 12th century
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