Surrounded by hundreds olive groves and the vineyards of Chianti, Siena is one of the most beautiful cities in Tuscany. Built on three hills, it is filled with fine examples of Gothic architecture and has its world-famous square, unique for its features: Piazza del Campo, shaped like a big concave shell and paved with red bricks arranged in fishbone style, divided into a sunburst pattern by nine strips of travertine.
Its world-famous twice-a-year horse-race, Palio di Siena, is held around the edges of this piazza and takes place on every 2nd July and 16th August. The Palio is an important part of Siena’s identity, history and culture, and every year it gathers thousands curious spectators from all over the world.
Other noteworthy sights in Siena are the Duomo (cathedral) and Santa Maria della Scala, a former hospital, now turned into a museum complex.
In addition, Siena offers many cultural events, concerts, cinemas, theatre performances and a wide range of sport activities all the year round.
This city also represents an excellent position for other excursions in Tuscany, since it is not far from charming towns such as San Gimignano, Pienza and other towns and areas renowned for wine production, such as Chianti, Montalcino and Montepulciano.
