SIENA

Siena, exists today due to its industrial, artisan and relevant tertiary activity resources, but also definitely has to attribute its fame to two other factors: it is one of the major centres of Italian art and secondly, its name is indissolubly connected to the course of events, twice yearly, in Piazza del Campo of the famous Palio: the traditional horse race course, which takes place in the City’s quarters, is a tourist attraction, but at the same time – is mainly – an event still profoundly appreciated by its citizens; belonging to the “contradaioli” and seen as a true and proper ritual. The manifestation takes place on 2nd July and 16th August, and consists of the historical procession (the “Comparsa” –“Appearance”) through its 17 city wards and the emotional race of horses mounted by their jockeys; at the winning point, there’s the marvellous Palio, draped material, painted with holy images which are then triumphantly carried to the Cathedral.

Erected as a Roman colony by Cesar with its given name of Sena Iulia, during the 1st Century BC, on the location of an old Etruscan settlement, it then became a Bishop’s Seat (6th Century), Longobard territory (7th Century), then Franco (8th Century), finally ending up as a Free Council (1147) through Ghelph orientation (League of S. Genesio, 1197). Adversary to Florence, the City passed to the side of the Ghibellines after an alliance with Pisa and Pistoia (1228) together with help offered by Federico II. It won against Florence at Montaperti (1260), therefore becoming the ruling City of Tuscany until Angioino intervention (1269), which re-established Ghelph supremacy. The City fell into decline due to internal feuds and because of the ascent of Florentine domination (14th-15th Centuries), it was then conquered after a long siege (March 1554-April 1555) by Cosimo I de’ Medici and became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, even though it had the concession to remain an autonomous administration.

Other than its individual art monuments, Siena also owes its atmosphere to the togetherness of the City’s town layout: small, winding streets, which ascend and descend to the levels on which the City is positioned; there are glimpses and views of absolute fascination, between the medieval houses, the little square and courtyards; the City’s culture also creates a particular atmosphere: in summer for example, you can usually hear outdoor music concerts, which are held in the courtyards of the students from the Chigiana Academy, a worldwide, famous music institution.

Piazza del Campo is one of the most beautiful medieval squares. It has a strange shape, almost shell like and is surrounded by old mansions, partly crenellated or adorned with towers. The Public Building is a construction which dominates the Square, and is the most beautiful civil building in Tuscany, dating back to 1297/1342, and contains the superb cycle of frescoes by Simone Martini (The Maestà and the Guidoriccio da Fogliano, both in the Sala del Mappamondo, and dating back to 1315/28) and by Ambrogio Lorenzetti (Allegorie ed Effetti del Buono e del Cattivo Governo (Allegories and Effects of a Good and Bad Government) from 1338/40, preserved in the Sala dei Nove or of the Peace). The exterior of the Public Building is also characterized by the Towers of Mangia from 1348, 102 metres in height, with the Chapel of the Square, at its base; a 14th Century loggia.