SIENA: HOME OF IL PALIO
The Palio Horse Race is a horse race like nowhere else, and it is run in the central square of Siena on July 2 and August 16. Since the 11th century AD, Siena has conducted the festivals every year, when the city’s 17 contrade (quarters) compete in contests such as flag throwing, horseracing and even fistfights. Though the fistfights are a thing of the past, the spirit of competition between the contrade is still fierce. But Il Palio is not all that Siena is famous for, as you will discover during your visit. And while in Siena, allow us to arrange your accommodation for you. We guarantee that you will not regret it.
Siena is a former medieval city in Tuscany, located about 70 km south of Florence. A proud, wealthy, and warlike independent state during medieval times, Siena was finally defeated by Florence. Medieval Sienese art is unique and of historical importance, and the Sienese are still fiercely proud of their city.
Today, Siena primarily depends on tourism for its economic sustenance and, because it remained economically backward for centuries after its defeat by Florence, you will find that it hasn’t experienced extensive urban development. That is the main reason that its medieval buildings were never torn down and replaced with modern structures, and today, the law decrees that new buildings within the city walls must be built to look medieval, so as to maintain the city’s beauty.
Adding to the beauty are such sites as Piazza del Campo, which turns into a racetrack during the Palio. The Palazzo Pubblico and the museum inside contain the famous frescos on good and bad government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and the Duomo, Siena’s magnificent Italian Romanesque cathedral including the Libreria Piccolomini, Baptistery, and an attached Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. Other attractions include the Pinacoteca, which is full of medieval paintings, and Palazzo Salimbeni, built in 1472, and today the world headquarters of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the major banking corporation which monitors much of the economic and cultural life of the city.
You can also take wine and sightseeing tours for Siena and Florence, or indulge in a bit of ballooning, riding, trekking, and mountain biking. Or you could take a tour of an Etruscan tomb, sample some regional food, and visit a local village. Accommodation in Siena is varied and abundant. But we give you the best offers (www.yourwaytotuscany.com/Siena.htm) of Siena hotels, bed & breakfasts, town house suites, apartments, and residences. We link you directly with the accommodations, and make sure you get the best deals possible.
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
Score:
