There’s something very special about Siena. Maybe it’s the city’s red brick buildings that endure as elegant testaments of time, maybe it’s the intimate ambience of its position nestled between rolling Tuscan hills…and maybe that’s just the start of our love affair!
Even after just a few hours exploring this medieval marvel you can’t help but leave reality behind and be swept up in its historical charm. In fact, this UNESCO World Heritage site is one of the best-preserved ancient cities in Italy, a place that still retains the original architecture, art, culture and character of its affluent and storied heritage.
A masterpiece of the ages
Siena is one of those exceptional places on earth where history remains largely unchanged. Wandering through its narrow, cobbled streets is like travelling back in time; every corner, alleyway, archway and gate holds ancient secrets and stories from centuries past. Initially an Etruscan settlement (900-400 BC), Siena developed into a flourishing medieval town that was formerly known as Saena Julia during the rule of Emperor Augustus.
Its immaculate churches, towers, palaces and monuments were constructed with no expense spared, thanks to the city’s status as an influential banking and economic hub that rivalled Florence during the 13th century. Most of these structures have been preserved with utmost care and still stand today as they were centuries ago. Even the city’s main gate and protective outer ring of walls still greet you upon your arrival.
Art, architecture and ancient culture
The city’s heartbeat is Piazza del Campo, its vast main square which fans out in a very unusual bell-shape and from which its 17 historical neighbourhoods (contrade) branch out. Here, locals and visitors gather to enjoy the city’s ambience, to devour local culinary specialties like pici and gnudi with a glass of local Brunello di Montalcino wine, and to celebrate cultural and historical traditions that date back to medieval times including the world-renowned Palio di Siena horse race that takes over the city twice a year.
Gothic architecture defines Siena’s character, with iconic pointed arches and intricate detail observed in most of the city centre’s main majestic buildings that were built between the 12th-15th centuries. This includes Palazzo Pubblico lined with its immaculate frescoes and artworks (including those by renowned Sienese painters Duccio di Buoninsegna and Simone Martini), the iconic Torre del Mangia (Mangia Tower), and of course the Duomo di Siena, a Gothic Romanesque style masterpiece with its black and cream marble walls and artworks by the likes of Donatello and Lorenzo Ghiberti. Other architectural hallmarks of the city that reveal its historical origins are its ancient rich red brick and its arches that reflect early Eastern influences on the city that came in during the Crusades.
Beyond Siena’s walls: vineyards and vistas
Siena’s charm is framed by its position in the middle of rolling Tuscan hills (the city is actually built on three hills), with the Val d’Elsa to the north, the Chianti hills to the north-east, the Arbia River to the south, and the Crete Senesi to the south-east. A drive in any of these directions treats you to views of idyllic landscapes featuring vineyards, rustic small towns and other medieval castles you might not expect to discover!
The Crete Senesi are a group of rolling hills that form something of a surreal, almost lunar landscape containing particular grey-brown clay formations known as ‘the clays of Senesi’. The area is also home to small, rustic towns and villages within the province of Siena including Asciano and Buonconvento.
We’ve probably all savoured a glass or two of delectable dry and fruity Chianti wine with our main course, right? This world-famous valley of vineyards in the heart of Tuscany’s wine-making region is less than an hour’s drive north-east from the city of Siena, while other must-visit destinations around Tuscany’s wine region that surrounds Siena are Montalcino and Montepulciano, located about an hour’s drive south of the city.
Let us also say, with great joy, that this treasured city in Tuscany is also home to our new hotel, the breathtaking Relais La Suvera which is set to welcome guests in 2026 – stay tuned! In the meantime, join us in raising a glass to this city that has truly captured our hearts.
