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Best attractions in Siena
The Cathedral of Siena is undoubtedly one of Italy’s most impressive examples of Romanesque-Gothic architecture, rivaling, and perhaps even surpassing, the famed Cathedral of Florence in its splendor.
The heart of Siena enchants with its unique shell-shaped design and rich history. This iconic square, laid out in the 14th century, is best known as the site of the "Palio di Siena" horse race, held twice a year. You might recognize it from a James Bond movie, where Bond famously races across Siena's rooftops!
The "Basilica of San Domenico", also known as "Basilica Cateriniana", is a basilica church in Siena, Tuscany, Italy, one of the most important in the city. The basilica is an example of Cistercian Gothic style.
Siena’s "Fortezza Medicea" is a fort built in the city between 1561 and 1563 on the orders of Duke Cosimo, a few years before he became the first Grand Duke of Tuscany.
The "Palazzo Pubblico" is a palace in Siena, Tuscany, central Italy. Construction began in 1297 to serve as the seat of the Republic of Siena's government, which consisted of the Podestà and Council of Nine, the elected officials who performed executive functions. The palace is of medieval and Gothic architecture, and the interior is lined with frescoes--most importantly, the collection known as "The Allegory of Good and Bad Government" by Ambrogio Lorenzetti.
Der Torre del Mangia ragt imposant über der Piazza del Campo und symbolisiert die weltliche Macht von Siena im Mittelalter. Erbaut zwischen 1325 - 1344, wurde der Turm bewusst so hoch wie der Dom gestaltet, um das Gleichgewicht zwischen Kirche und Staat zu symbolisieren. Mit seinen 87 Metern (102 Meter inklusive Blitzableiter) ist er heute der dritthöchste mittelalterliche Turm in Italien. Ein besonderes Detail ist die weiße Travertinspitze, die später von Agostino di Giovanni hinzugefügt wurde.
The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, Italy's oldest private museum, preserves many of the original artworks from the cathedral. A major highlight is the access to the Facciatone Terrace on the top floor, where a fantastic panoramic view of the cathedral and Siena unfolds. Inside the museum, you'll find the impressive stained glass window by Duccio di Buoninsegna and numerous marble statues of prophets, philosophers, and sibyls.
Despite its immense size, this sprawling museum remains quite unassuming from the outside. If you're spending more than a day in Siena, it’s well worth a visit. Just across from the cathedral, you’ll find one of the oldest hospitals in Europe, offering a fascinating labyrinth of corridors, halls, and underground tunnels. Among its highlights is the Pellegrinaio, a grand hall adorned with striking 15th-century frescoes. These artworks depict the life of the hospital brotherhood, offering a unique glimpse into medieval life and the social structures of the time. The museum also preserves valuable relics and artworks.
"Palazzo Salimbeni" is a Gothic style urban palace located on the Piazza Salimbeni, just off Via Banchi di Sopra in the Terzo di Camollia of the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. The building, associated with an ancient mercantile family of Siena, currently houses the main offices of the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank in the world.
"San Francesco" is a basilica church in Siena, Tuscany, Italy.
The "Fonte Gaia" is a monumental fountain located in the Piazza del Campo in the center of Siena, Italy.
"Fontebranda" is one of the medieval fountains of Siena, located in Terzo di Camollia, in the Contrada of Oca, near the Porta of Fontebranda.
The Cripta del Duomo is a hidden gem, rediscovered only in 1999. This underground basilica boasts some of the most vibrant 13th-century frescoes, celebrated for their remarkably well-preserved colors. Initially used as an antechamber, it was forgotten after 14th-century construction work. The frescoes illustrate scenes from the Old and New Testaments, including the Crucifixion and Christ’s Burial, capturing the emotional depth of these biblical stories in vivid reds, blues, and gold.
"Porta Camollìa" is one of the northern portals in the medieval walls of Siena. It is located on via Camollia and opens inside the city into the Contrada of Istrice.
The "Santuario di Santa Caterina" is a sanctuary in Siena dedicated to Saint Catherine of Siena. It is also her birthplace.
The Baptistery beneath the cathedral is a masterpiece of Italian Gothic architecture, constructed between 1316 - 1325. At its heart lies the central baptismal font, a hexagonal marvel of marble and bronze, crafted by some of the most prominent early Renaissance artists like Donatello and Ghiberti.
The "Pinacoteca Nazionale" is a national museum in Siena, Tuscany, Italy. Inaugurated in 1932, it houses especially late medieval and Renaissance paintings from Italian artists. It is housed in the Brigidi and Buonsignori palaces in the city's center: the former, built in the 14th century, it is traditionally identified as the Pannocchieschi family's residence. The Palazzo Bichi-Buonsignori, built in the 15th century, was until recently thought to have a 19th-century neo-medieval façade based on the city's Palazzo Pubblico; however, restoration in 2022 revealed that it is mostly original.
"Porta Romana" is one of the portals in the medieval Walls of Siena. It is located on Via Cassia in Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. The gate exits near the Basilica of San Clemente and leads south out of town to Via Enea Silvio Piccolomini.
The "Porta dei Pìspini" or "Gate of the Water-spout" is one of the portals in the medieval walls of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. It is located on the east side of town, in the contrada del Nicchio in the terzo of San Martino, where Via Pìspini meets Via Aretina. The gate took its name from a nearby fountain; the nearby Fonte de' Pispina, however, was built in 1534–1538.Romagnoli, page 39.
The Church of "Santa Maria dei Servi" is a Romanesque style, Roman Catholic church in the Terzo of San Martino in the city of Siena, Tuscany, Italy.
"Piazza del Duomo" is a city square in Siena, Italy.
"Santa Maria in Provenzano", or the "Insigne Collegiata di Santa Maria in Provenzano", is a late-Renaissance-Baroque style, Roman Catholic, collegiate church in Piazza Provenzano Salvani, in the Terza Camollia, just southwest of the basilica of San Francesco, in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. This Marian shrine was built around a 14th-century terracotta icon of the Madonna, which was credited with miracles. The Palio of Siena takes place on the day of veneration of this Marian devotion.
"Porta San Marco" is the remnant of one of the gates found the medieval walls of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. It is found at the start of Via San Marco.
The "Basilica dell'Osservanza" is a church on the outskirts of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.
The "Porta Tufi" or "Tufi Gate" is one of the remaining portals in the medieval Walls of Siena. It is located on Strada di Tufi, now Via Pier Andrea Mattioli, in Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. It stands on a peninsula of walls near Sant'Agostino, opening to a road leading south of the city.
The "Palazzo Chigi-Saracini" is a Gothic urban palace on the Via di Città in the Terzo di Città in central Siena, Tuscany, Italy. It is the seat of the Accademia Musicale Chigiana.
The "Porta Ovile" is a city gate in Siena and part of the city walls of Siena.
The "Loggia della Mercanzia" is located in Siena, at the back of Piazza del Campo, in the so-called Croce del Travaglio between via Banchi di Sopra, via Banchi di Sotto, and via di Città.
The "Siena synagogue" is a notable, historic synagogue in Siena, Italy.
"Sant'Agostino" is a Roman Catholic church in Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.
The "Orto Botanico dell'Università di Siena" is a botanical garden operated by the University of Siena. It is located at Via P. A. Mattioli, 4, Siena, Tuscany, Italy, and open daily.
The "Palazzo Piccolomini", also known as the "Palazzo Todeschini Piccolomini" is a Renaissance-style palace in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. It is located on the Banchi di Sotto, at the corner with Via Rinaldini; uphill and west of the church of San Martino, the Loggia del Papa, and the Palazzo delle Papesse, which also built by a Piccolomini family member.
The "Monastery of the Holy Saviour" at Lecceto in Tuscany, was the principal House of the order of the Hermit Friars of Saint Augustine in 1256, when Pope Alexander IV constituted the Augustinian order internationally. It was dedicated to Jesus as Saviour.
The "Fonte Nuova" is a historic water basin in Siena, located on Via Pian d'Ovile.
The "Castello di Belcaro" is a Renaissance villa built at the site of a Castle once belonging to the Republic of Siena in Tuscany. It is located some 5.5 kilometers southwest of the Siena city gate of Porta San Marco, on the direction towards Grosseto, it is beyond a former benedictine monastery and church of Sant'Eugenio. The address is strada di Terrenzano e Belcaro #32.[https://books.google.com/books?id=daPLXG957RgC Toscana:], Guida D'Italia, Touring Club Italiano, page 580.
The "Ex Ospedale Psichiatrico di San Niccolò," formerly known as the "Monastery of San Niccolò" and today also referred to as "Palazzo San Niccolò," is a historic building in Siena located near Porta Romana.
The "Palazzo Turchi", also called the "Palazzo dei Diavoli", is a castle-like structure located outside the city wall of Siena, near Porta Camollia between Viale Cavour e via Fiorentina.
The "National Archaeological Museum" of Siena is located in Piazza del Duomo within the complex of the ancient hospital of Santa Maria della Scala. It houses numerous artifacts from excavations in the province of Siena.
"San Cristoforo" is a Roman Catholic church located on Piazza Tolomei in the Northern Terzo di Camollia and contrada of Civetta in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. Across the piazza from the church is the Palazzo Tolomei, one of the oldest buildings in the city. The Tolomei for many years were associated with the church.[https://books.google.com/books?id=FbxrBFl7JSkC A Medieval Italian Commune: Siena Under the Nine, 1287-1355], by William M. Bowsky, page 276.
The "Castellare degli Ugurgieri" is a medieval fortress-house or fortress-palace, erected by the prominent Sienese Ugurgieri family in the 13th century. It is located on an Via Francigena off Piazza Salimbeni, in central Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. It is behind the Palazzo Bandini Piccolomini. The courtyard is accessible and the building now houses the headquarters and museum of the Contrada della Civetta.[http://www.enjoysiena.it/en/attrattore/Castellare-degli-Ugurgieri/ Comune of Siena tourism site].
The "Palazzo Tolomei" is an imposing, Gothic style urban palace, located on Via Banchi di Sopra in the present contrada of Civetta, Terzo di Camollia of the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.
The "Teatro dei Rinnovati" is a theater in Siena located in the Palazzo Pubblico in Piazza del Campo.
The "Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo" is a 13th-century Gothic style, brick and stone, urban palace located on via del Capitano, #13-19 in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. The name derives because it was once home of the "Capitano della Guerra" or "Capitano del Popolo", who served as the main official for the Republic. The Palazzo is just off the Piazza of the Duomo.
The "Church of the Most Holy Annunciation" is a Catholic place of worship in the city of Siena, Tuscany.
The "Teatro dei Rozzi" is a live-performance theater located on Piazza Indipendenza #15, in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy; while this structure was inaugurated in 1817, the sponsoring organization dated to 1531.
"San Pietro alla Magione" is an ancient church on Via Camollia in Siena, Italy.
The "Palazzo Chigi all Postierla", but sometimes referred also to as "Chigi-Piccolomini" or "Piccolomini-Adami" is a Renaissance style urban palace localized on Via del Capitano #1, corner Piazza Postierla, in the Terzo di Città, in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. The palace is up the street from the Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo, Siena.
The "Oratory of the Compagnia di San Bernardino" is a place of worship in the Piazza San Francesco in Siena. Elevated to minor basilica status in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, it adjoins rooms housing the diocesan museum.[http://www.gcatholic.org/churches/data/basITX.htm "Catholic.org Basilicas in Italy"] It is notable for its frescoes from various 16th- and 17th-century Sienese painters like Sodoma and Domenico Beccafumi. The oratory is almost adjacent to the Basilica of San Francesco, Siena.
"San Niccolò al Carmine", also called "Santa Maria del Carmine" is a Renaissance style, Roman Catholic church and monastery located in Pian dei Mantellini #30, near the corner of Via della Diana in the Terzo de Citta of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. The church now serves as the Oratory for the Contrada of Pantera. Across the street from the belltower is the Palazzo Celsi Pollini. North along Pian dei Mantellini, toward the Arco delle Due Porte, and on the same side of the street are a number of palaces built around what was once the Monastery of the Derelict Women: in order they are the Neoclassical Palazzo Incontri, the Palazzo Ravissa and the Palazzo Segardi.
"Sant’Andrea Apostolo" is a Roman Catholic church located on Via dei Montanini 141, near the intersection with Via Giuseppe Garibaldi, in the terzo of Camollia, in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.
"Santa Maria delle Nevi" is a small Renaissance style Roman Catholic church or oratory located on Via Banchi di Sopra in the Terzo di Camollia of the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.
"Santo Spirito" is a Renaissance style, Roman Catholic church located in piazza Santo Spirito, where Via dei Pispini meets Vicolo del Sasso, in Siena, Italy.
The "Piazza" or "Piazzetta dell'Indipendenza" is located just north of Piazza del Campo in the Terzo di Camollia in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.[http://www.enjoysiena.it/it/attrattore/Piazza-Indipendenza/ Comune of Siena], entry on Piazza. It is located centrally at the intersection of Via delle Terme and dei Termini, about two blocks Northwest of the Piazza del Campo.
"Palazzo Reale", formerly "Palazzo Petrucci", Aa.Vv., "Medioevo e rinascimento", Volumes 11-12, Florence, Leo S. Olschki, 1997, p. 344. is a historic building in Siena, located in Piazza Jacopo della Quercia, opposite the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta.
"Villa Volte Alte" is located in the area of Le Volte, on the border between the municipalities of Siena and Sovicille, Tuscany.
"The Palazzo Piccolomini-delle Papesse" in Siena, "via di Città" 126, is a historic palace of the noble Piccolomini family and housed a center for contemporary art from 1998 to 2008.
The Facciatone Terrace (= Façade) is a fascinating remnant of an unfinished cathedral expansion, offering a breathtaking 360-degree panoramic view of the medieval city and the surrounding Tuscan landscape. Conceived in the 14th century as part of a grander cathedral, the Facciatone now stands as a striking symbol of Siena's ambitious architectural vision. Its story is closely tied to the Great Plague of 1348, which abruptly halted construction, leaving behind this fascinating fragment of medieval ambition.
"San Giorgio" is a Baroque style, Roman Catholic church located on Via di Pantaneto #113 in the Terzo San Martino of the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.
The "Certosa di Maggiano" was a monastery located in Siena, in the Maggiano area. Today, the building is used as a luxury hotel.
"Santa Petronilla" is a 17th-century Roman Catholic church and former convent located near the start of via Camillo Benzo Cavour, corner with via Santa Petronilla 1, in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. It is located outside the medieval walls of Siena, near the antiporta of Camollia.
The "Villa il Pavone" is a neo-Renaissance style suburban palace located outside of the city of Siena, a region of Tuscany, Italy.
The "Natural History Museum of the Academy of Fisiocritici" is an integral part of the Academy, along with the Library and the Historical Archive, and has been located since 1816 in the former convent of Santa Mustiola, which belonged to the Camaldolese order and dates back to the 12th century.
The "Palazzo Arcivescovile" or "Archbishop's Palace" of Siena is the official residence of the archbishop and the offices of the Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino. The neo-Gothic architecture building is located adjacent to the Cathedral of Siena.
"Santa Maria in Portico a Fontegiusta" is a Renaissance style, Roman Catholic church located on via di Fontegiusta, off Via Camollia near its intersection with Via Paparoni, in the terzo of Camollia, in Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.
"Villa Chigi di Vicobello," also known as "le Volte di Vicobello," is a villa in Siena, located in the area of Vico alto.
"Palazzo Patrizi" is a historic building in Siena located at via di Città 75, which was the city residence of the noble family of the same name, who moved to Rome and Naples during the Renaissance. It is home to the Accademia degli Intronati, founded in 1525. Inside the palace, there is a conference room owned by the Municipality, recently restored with its decorations and frescoed ceilings. The rear facade, with a Gothic appearance, is located on Casato di Sotto.
The "Palazzo San Galgano" is a Renaissance style urban palace located on via Roma number 47, in Terzo Camollia of the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. The palace is around the corner from the church of San Raimondo.
The "Cross of Labor" is the road center of the city of Siena, the meeting point of the three main streets that serve as the backbone of the three Terzi.
The "Castle of the Four Towers" is a fortified structure located at Pieve al Bozzone 36 in the municipality of Siena.
"San Vigilio" is a Renaissance and Baroque style, Roman Catholic church located on Via San Vigilio, Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. The exterior has a sober classical facade, while the interior has rich Baroque decorations. The church is dedicated to the Bishop and martyr St Vigilius; it now serves as the chapel for the University of Siena. It stands across the street from the Castellare Ugurgieri, and down the street from the Palazzo Bandini Piccolomini found on the junction with Via Sallustio Bandini.
"San Pietro alle Scale", also known as "San Pietro in Castelvecchio" is a Roman Catholic parish church located on via San Pietro, Terzo of Città, in Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. Initially built in the 12th century, this parish church was completely rebuilt in a Baroque style in the 17th century; the brick facade has a portal with a depiction of "Glory of St Peter". The belltower dates to 1699, and the facade to 1706.
The "Palazzo Tantucci" is a Renaissance style urban palace localized on Via dei Montanini, on the Piazza Salimbeni, in the Terzo di Camollia, in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. To the palace's right is the Gothic facade of the Palazzo Salimbeni, and across the Piazza with Sallustio Bandini's statue is the Classic Renaissance facade of the Palazzo Spannocchi. All three palaces are owned now by the Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank in the world, which arose in the Salimbeni palace.
"San Donato", also called "San Michele al Monte di San Donato", is a Baroque style, Roman Catholic church located on the Piazza on Via dell'Abbadia, Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. The Monte de Paschi di Siena, whose original offices were in the Palazzo Salimbeni, whose rear facade faces the church, has a Pinacoteca/Museum called San Donato.
The "church" and the "convent of San Girolamo" are a religious complex located in Siena, on the street of the same name. In Siena, there is also the church and convent of San Girolamo in Campansi.
The "Monument to Garibaldi" is a bronze equestrian statue located in Siena, in the Lizza gardens.
"San Pellegrino alla Sapienza" o "della Sapienza" is a Gothic style, Roman Catholic church located at the intersection of via della Sapienza and via delle Terme in Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. It is located across from the Teatro dei Rozzi.
The "Church of the Jail of Sant'Ansano", , also known as the "Chapel" or "Oratory" of "Sant'Ansano in Castelvecchio", is a small, medieval, Roman Catholic religious building located on via Tommaso Pendola in the Terzo di Città of the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. Adjacent to the tower is the former Istituto Santa Teresa.
"San Raimondo", also called "San Raimondo al Refugio", is a Baroque style, Roman Catholic church located on the intersection of Via del Refugio and Via di Fiera Vecchia, in the Terzo of Camollia of the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. The church is dedicated to St Raymond of Pennafort.
The narrow church or oratory of "San Gaetano di Thiene" is found in the middle of via dei Pispini in Siena, Italy.
The "Piazza di Postierla," also known as "dei Quattro Cantoni," is a square in the historic center of Siena located at the end of Via di Città.
The "Oratory of San Rocco" is a small Roman Catholic prayer hall or independently standing chapel, located on via Vallerozzi in Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.
The "Colonna del Portogallo" is a monument in Siena, located on Viale Vittorio Emanuele II, between Porta Camollia and Antiporto di Camollia.
"Santo Stefano alla Lizza" is a Baroque style, Roman Catholic church located on Via dei Gazzani, in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. It belongs to the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino.
The "Palazzo Bichi Ruspoli", or previously "Palazzo or Castellare dei Rossi", is an urban palace, located on Via Banchi di Sopra in the present contrada of Civetta, Terzo di Camollia of the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.
The "Oratory of Sant'Antonio da Padova" is a small church on Via Tommaso Pendola in Siena, Italy. The oratory is property of the "Ward of the Turtle" or Contrada della Tartuca, and now commonly called "Sant'Antonio alle Murella". Siena also has a separate church of Sant'Antonio da Padova located elsewhere in the city in the Contrada della Civetta.
"Palazzo Buonsignori" is located in Siena on Via San Pietro. Together with Palazzo Brigidi, it houses the National Art Gallery of Siena.
"San Giovannino della Staffa", also known as "San Giovannino in Pantaneto" is a Renaissance style Roman Catholic church on Piazetta Virgilio Grassi, in the Contrada del Leocorno, Siena, Tuscany, Italy.
The "oratory of the Company of the Most Holy Trinity" is a church in Siena located on Via di Valdimontone, owned by the homonymous brotherhood and used as an oratory by the Contrada of Valdimontone.
"Palazzo Cinughi de' Pazzi" is a historic building in Siena located on Via Banchi di Sopra, just a few steps from Palazzo Spannocchi and Palazzo Tolomei.
"Santa Marta" is a former Roman Catholic convent and church of located in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. It now serves in part as historic archive for Siena. It is located about 30 meters downhill of the Cappella del Rosario on Via San Marco and 30 meters uphill of Porta San Marco.
The "Villa Ginanneschi-Gori" is a Baroque style suburban palace and gardens located in the Marciano neighborhood just outside the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy.
"Piazza San Francesco" is located in Siena, between the Borgo d'Ovile and the hill of Castellaccia.
The "oratory of Saints Vincent and Athanasius" is a church in Siena, located on via Camollia, currently owned by and serving as the oratory of the Sovereign Contrada of the Porcupine.
The "oratory of Santa Caterina in Fontebranda," also known as the "oratory of the Tintoria," is a small church located in Siena, on via Santa Caterina, and is owned by the Noble Contrada dell'Oca.
The "Palazzo Piccolomini-Clementini" is a Gothic-style palace located on Via Banchi di Sotto #75 in the city of Siena, region of Tuscany, Italy. It is located across the street from the more imposing Renaissance-style "Palazzo Piccolomini" and the Loggia del Papa. The nearby Palazzo delle Papesse was also built by a Piccolomini family member.