Siena
Step back in time and discover the mystery of this medieval city in Tuscany. Once a contender for the region’s capital, Siena offers visitors a firsthand experience of Italian culture and history. Wander these charming cobblestone streets and alleys, and you’ll discover why Siena is an exceptional place.
Look for the Sienese She-wolf throughout the city and learn the lore of its origins. Seventeen different neighborhoods (contradas) have their own unique fountains where it is customary for every newborn baby to be baptized. Each year the Piazza del Campo gets filled in to host the traditional Palio horse race.
The rare and precious yellow Siena marble creates the stunning floor mosaics at the Siena Cathedral. Wander through the beautiful botanical gardens at the University of Siena, founded in 1240! Discover the oldest scientific institution of Italy, Accademia dei Fisiocritici, with its incredible 15-meter whale skeleton. The Children’s Museum of Art offers a collection of works dedicated to children.
Siena is a place to slow down, enjoy the journey, and taste the Tuscan countryside. Enjoy wines from this region like Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and Vernaccia di San Gimignano. Try pici, a handmade Sienese pasta made with flour and oil or ricciarelli, a sweet almond cookie. Appetizers like ‘crostini Neri’ aka black crostini are made from a crisp Tuscan bread with chicken liver pate. Wild boar, peasant, and veal are part of traditional dishes.
Painters, ceramic makers, sculptors, and metalworkers offer artisian products, even hands-on workshops. Climb the 400 steps of Torre del Mangia for a breathtaking view of the city and surrounding landscapes. A gateway to Tuscany and start a hike, bike, or horseback adventure you’ll see why this city became a Unesco World Heritage site and remains a remarkable place.
This is one of the destinations on my Heart of Italy Tour, taking place this November.
Jennie Olson Six 