Things to do in Siena
There are many activities and things to do in Siena. The most popular thing to do in Siena is to see the Palio delle Contrade, a horse race that is held in Piazza del Campo on July 2nd and August 16th.
On those days the city is very crowded but putting up with the crowds and the hot summer weather is well worth it. You can find more information on the event and some suggestions for people who wish to see it on our page about the Palio di Siena.
Siena is a very interesting destination also for lovers of art and culture, music, nature and sport, food and drink, shopping and traditional crafts.
Art and culture in Siena
People who love art should not miss Siena. The city centre is a jewel of medieval architecture, and the many churches, historical buildings and museums provide a wide range of options for people who want to see some of the most outstanding art treasures in Italy.
The bottini and the fountains
An interesting itinerary through the city is that that leads the visitor to discover the many fountains spread throughout the city of Siena. Siena has 7 well preserved public fountains which remind visitors of the older times when people had to collect water from these precious sources.
Siena has always had a special relationship with water. The city was built on three hills, and contrary to other famous towns in Tuscany, such as Florence and Pisa, it does not lay on the banks of a river. For this reason, water was not as readily available for the people of Siena, who had to find ways to collect it and store it. Water was not only vital for people, but also for the animals and for the economy (agriculture, mills, to put off fires, etc).
To ensure a proper water supply, the inhabitant of Siena carved the “bottini“, underground aqueducts that gather the water that filters through the ground of the hills and bring it to the fountains throughout the city. The bottini are long, impressive galleries and can be visited.
To visit the bottini, you will have to book the guided tour well in advance, by contacting the association that manages them called La Diana, like the mythological river that the people from Siena believed was running under the city.
A simpler itinerary devoted to water is that that takes visitors to Siena to discover the many fountains. The major fountains in Siena were built in the 13th and 14th century. These medieval fountains have generally three parts, a higher one from which people got their drinking water, a middle one used to water animals and a lower one used to do the laundry. The contrade, the quarters of Siena, took care of the fountains and ensured their correct maintenance.
The major fountains in the city are:
- Fonte Gaia: located in Piazza del Campo, it’s the most important of all the fountains in the city. It was sculpted by Jacopo dell Quercia in the 15th century and it represents one of the most important works of art of the 15th century.
- Fontebranda: it’s the most ancient and famous fountain in Siena. It is mentioned in Dante’s Divina Commedia (Inferno, XXX) and it dates back to the 12th century. It is often associated with the name of a famous saint, Saint Catherine of Siena who grew up here, and for this reason, she is also known as the “Fontebranda saint”.
- Fonte d’Ovile: a fountain dating back to the end of the 12th century.
- Fonte Nuova d’Ovile: it substituted the earlier Fonte d’Ovile. It was built in the early 14th century and it was mostly used for agricultural and “industrial” purposes.
- Fonte del Casato: not very impressive as far as its architecture is concerned, it is however interesting because it was built at the end of a long staircase in a central but hidden location downtown, and because of this it was unknown to most people for a long time.
- Fonte di Follonica: it was built in the 12th century and soon abandoned because of its location outside the city walls and far from the most populated areas of the city. Its names derives from the word “fullones“, i.e. dyers and wool merchant. It is also known as the “cursed fountain” for the many bad events that took place around it and for its tendency to sink in the ground. Nowadays is no more than a ruin but it should be restored in the near future.
- Fonte di Pescaia: its origins are unknown. It was used to provide water to the pools in the area which provided fish to the city.
There are also some minor fountains in Siena:
- Fonte di San Maurizio: located along the Via Francigena.
- Fonte di Porta Giustizia
- Fonte della Sapienza
- Fonte del Laterino
- Fonte della Prodaia
- Fonte di Pantaneto
- Fonte delle Monache
- Fonte dell’Orto Botanico
- Fontebecci
- Fonte delle Cannelle
- Fonte dei Pispini
- Fonte delle Sperandie
- Fonte dei Tufi
- Fonte di San Carlo
- Fontanello di Via delle Vergini
The museums
Siena has many museums and art galleries. The museums that should not be missed are:
- Museo Civico
Piazza del Campo – Siena
Tel.:0577 226230; 0577 41169
http://www.sienaonline.com/siena_museo_civico.html E-mail: cultura@comune.siena.it Tickets: €7 (€6 if you book in advance) - Torre del Mangia, the tall tower (87m) in
Piazza del Campo, Siena
Tel.:0577 226230; 0577 41169
Tickets: €6 (€5 if you book in advance) - Santa Maria della Scala: a gallery in the ancient hospital of Siena
Piazza Duomo – Siena
Tel.:0577 224811; biglietteria 0577 224828
www.santamariadellascala.com E-mail: infoscala@sms.comune.siena.it
Tickets: €6 (€5,50 if you book in advance). Free for children under 11. - Duomo and libreria Piccolomini
Piazza Duomo – Siena
www.operaduomo.siena.it E-mail: operaduomo@operaduomo.siena.it
Tickets: €3 - Museo dell’Opera Metropolitana
Piazza Duomo – Siena
www.operaduomo.siena.it E-mail: operaduomo@operaduomo.siena.it
Tickets: €6 - Cripta del Duomo
Scale di San Giovanni – Siena
www.operaduomo.siena.it E-mail: operaduomo@operaduomo.siena.it
Tickets: €6 - Art gallery for children (Museo d’arte per bambini): a unique example in the whole country
c/o Santa Maria della Scala, Piazza Duomo – Siena
Tel.:0577 46517
Museo d’Arte per Bambini di Siena E-mail: bambimus@comune.siena.it
Tickets: free of charge. - Oratorio di San Bernardino and Museum of Sacred Art Mostly Sienese sacred art from the 13th century
Piazza San Francesco, 10 – Siena
Tel.:0577 283048
www.operaduomo.siena.it E-mail: operaduomo@operaduomo.siena.it
Tickets: €3 - Sanctuary and House of Saint Catherine of Siena
Costa di S. Antonio, 6 – Siena
Tel.:0577 288175 Fax: 0577 47601
www.caterinati.org
Tickets: free of charge - Orto Botanico (Botanic Garden)
Via Pier Andrea Mattioli, 4 – Siena
Tel.:0577 232874
www.unisi.it/ricerca/dip/dba/Botanica/orto_botanico.htm
Tickets: free of charge - Musei di Contrada: 17 museums devoted to the contrade of Siena. A must see. You can choose the museum of your favourite contrada and discover the ancient tradition of these city institutions. They are free of charge. You can ask the individual contrade or Siena visitor center.
Gothic Siena
You can discover the true essence of Gothic art and architecture in Siena by visiting the many museums and galleries in the city or by taking a walk throughout the center. You will be amazed by the beautiful Gothic buildings scattered throughout the city center.
The city is divided in three main areas called “terzi“: Terzo di Città, Terzo di Camollia and Terzo di San Martino. More information on what to see in the three terzi is available on the Comune di Siena website.
The Terzo di Città is the heart of the city, the area in which the city originated. The legend says that it was founded by Remus’s children, Aschio and Senio, in 700 b.C.. Here you can find interesting buildings, monuments and museums such as the Cathedral, the Church of Saint Agostino, the Botanic Garden, Fonte delle Monache, the city gate Porta San Marco, Palazzo Chigi Saracini where the Academia Chigiana is, and the beautiful museum of Santa Maria della Scala.
The Terzo di Camollia also has some outstanding monuments and buildings such as the city gate Porta Camollia, the Church of San Pietro alla Magione, the Medici Fortress, San Domenico Basilica, Fontebranda, the Sanctuary of Saint Catherine, Palazzo Tolomei, the Basilica of Santa Maria in Provenzano, the Basilica of San Francesco and the Rocca Salimbeni home to the bank Monte dei Paschi di Siena.
The Terzo di San Martino developed along the Via Francigena which lead pilgrims to Rome. The name of this area derives from the fact that San Martino is the patron saint of pilgrims and travelers. This is the terzo that includes Piazza del Campo and the famous Torre del Mangia and Palazzo Pubblico. Fonte Gaia, Palazzo Piccolomini and the Logge del Papa are also here. The city gate Porta Pispini gives access to this quarter, which also contains the Basilica dei Servi, the Piazza del Mercato and the Valle di Porta Giustizia.
Here is a brochure about “Terzi”.
Urban Trekking in Siena
There are a number of ways to discover the center of Siena. One of the most interesting is to go trekking. Urban trekking (brochure) is an interesting initiative organized by the city of Siena. There are several itineraries that suits all sort of visitors.
The main itineraries are:
- Urban trekking in Siena for young explorers (brochure 1 and 2)
- Alleys and gardens in the shadow of the Tower (brochure)
- Between art and nature (brochure)
- Looking at breathtaking views (brochure)
Here is a link to the official website of Siena Urban Trekking.
Religious itineraries in Siena
It is also possible to go on thematic itineraries. Siena is a city of saints and mysticism, so some of the most interesting itineraries are the religious itineraries. The people of Siena are especially devoted to the Holy Virgin and the two Sienese saints, San Bernardino and Santa Caterina and the three religious itineraries are connected to them:
- Itinerary devoted to Saint Bernardino of Siena: it takes visitors through the places that mattered for the saint, such as the Church of Saint Francis where he took his vows and the Convento dell’Osservanza which he founded in 1404.
- Itinerary devoted to Saint Catherine of Siena which leads the visitor to discover the saint’s house and the sanctuary and the basilica of San Domenico where the saint’s head is a venerated relic.
- Itinerary devoted to the Holy Virgin which leads the visitor through the main places devoted to the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Here is a map of the center of Siena with the religious itineraries.
Itineraries in Siena for visitors with special needs
There are also itineraries for visitors with special needs such as:
Guided Tours of Siena
For those who prefer to go on a guided tour of Siena, here is a link to the official site of Siena guides, where you can find many different types of tours.
Food and Drinks
There are many other things to do in Siena also for those who want to do more than just enjoy art and culture. An excellent way to discover Siena is to go on a wine tasting tour or an olive oil tasting tour or take a cooking class.
And to enjoy the Tuscan culinary tradition even more, visitors to the Siena area can also go on a cheese and cold cuts tasting or visit a local producer of traditional desserts.
Traditional crafts
Visitors to Siena can participate in a pottery course or take a photography course.
Shopping
Siena is perfect for shopping. There are many boutiques in the center and several shopping malls in the outskirts. Here is a guide to shopping in Siena. You can also take a look at this page: www.shoppingsiena.com.
Shopping lovers should not forget the weekly market which is held on Wednesday around the fortress.
Music
Siena has much to offer to music lovers. There is a renowned summer school for people interested in music and singing.
More suggestions are available on the website of the Accademia Chigiana (Siena) where you can find the programme of the concert season.
And for jazz lovers, there is a rich jazz program in Siena with concerts and courses.
Sport and nature
For nature and sport lovers, Siena represents an excellent opportunity to exercise while enjoying the most beautiful landscape in the world. Urban trekking is a good opportunity to put together sport and sightseeing.
Visitors can also go on bike tours and horseback riding tours around the city. Or go on a hot air ballooning tour of the Siena area and see the Chianti from above!
For people who love nature parks, here is a map of the nature parks around Siena.
And last but not least, visitors to Siena should not miss out the opportunity to enjoy a massage or a hot bath in one of the spas in the area. Or maybe a visit to the natural hot springs in Petriolo.
A nice way to discover Siena and its surroundings is to take a train ride along the old railway that runs from Siena to Grosseto crossing the beautiful Val d’Orcia and the Maremma.
