Where the grandeur of the Middle Ages meets the spirit of the Renaissance
Siena is one of the world's most unique and impressive cities. Certainly, Italy is no stranger to cute and quaint medieval villages; and with the likes of Rome and Florence it is rather well accustomed to the large-scale splendor produced by the Renaissance. But in Siena, like in no other Italian city, we see these two aspects existing harmoniously side-by-side to create a massive medieval fortress-city sparkling with the genius of the Renaissance.
You can also view the location of our hotels on the map below.
While even a drunk Sienese man would have to admit that Florence's contribution to the Renaissance far exceeds that of Siena (not to mention that the former conquered the latter in the 15th century), Siena offers a distinct charm that many prefer to Florence's. Indeed, we might say that Florence is like the Beatles who revolutionized modern music with a full-frontal assault on culture; and, in its own way Siena is like Bob Dylan, who with unrivaled brilliance influenced Western culture just as significantly, only in a more subdued, inward looking fashion. While such a comparison is not perfect, it does convey that despite the fact that Siena is not usually spoken about with as much vibrato as Florence, it is just as wonderful and culturally potent a place to visit.
Read more about Siena's History & Culture >
What to Buy:
Wine!
Festivals:
Palio delle Contrade: Siena’s great medieval festival culminating in its famous horserace in the Piazza del Campo. July 2 to August 16.
What to Eat & Drink in Siena
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