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Siena is situated on a hill in a part of Tuscany so remote that getting a train there can prove difficult. But once you arrive, you'll find a massive walled fortification unlike anything in the world. In fact, in such a medieval paradise, the dorkier among us might secretly aspire to engage in a bout of play jousting. This scenery is mostly attributed to ways in which Siena adapted the Renaissance virtues to its own local culture to create something very individualistic, with its masters very keen to leave a distinct Sienese mark on everything, like adorning their representations of the Madonna in their unique textiles. Also, Siena's artists maintained certain influences in their work that are not seen as prominently elsewhere in Tuscany; for example, much in Siena bears hints of Ancient Byzantium even as far into the 15th century. But one might say that Siena's scenery is stuck in the 15th century because, after it was conquered by Florence, little changed about the city physically. Siena's adherence to medieval ideals is even apparent in its society: its neighborhoods, organized according to little sections called contrade, are pitted against each other in an annual horserace in Siena's massive Piazza del Campo. And, to further emphasize this culture, its 15th-century bank Monte dei Paschi is still fully functioning, which is said to be the world's oldest still in operation.

The point of departure to embrace Sienese culture begins with its art, and the best place for this is at the Civic Museum, which is filled with the most important pieces produced by the masters of the Sienese school. Beginning with the Sala del Mappomondo, we find the earliest known masterpiece of Simone Martini, La Maesta, portraying the Madonna and child. Moving to the Sala della Pace we find a thematic switch from the religious to a series of frescos conveying the Sienese's Republic's adherence to the virtues of good government, namely the preeminent Allegory of Good and Bad Government and Their Effects on the Town and Countryside. This very important masterpiece by Ambrogio Lorenzetti shows Siena's glory during times of peace and its decrepitude during war. Adjacent to the museum is the Torre del Mangia, the most prominent feature on the Sienese skyline that provides those brave and fit enough to climb it with an absolutely stunning view of Siena and its countryside. Siena's Duomo is one of the most striking features of any Italian city. It is noticeably smaller than that of Florence, but, with its zebra-like black and white marble stripes pervading both its interior and exterior, just as grand. It was founded in the 12th century and is among the finest examples of the blending of the Romanesque and Italian Gothic styles. Upon entering you will find numerous portraits of both Biblical and mythological themes. One of the most interesting is of a mythologized man known as Hermes Trismegistus, who was believed in the Middle Ages and Renaissance to be a Christian prophet of sorts who was supposedly responsible for the doctrines expounded in the ancient text known as the Hermetica. In actuality, the words attributed to him were from an Egyptian Platonic movement early in the first millennium; nonetheless, his portrait in Siena's Duomo bears strong testimony to the incorporation of Ancient pagan philosophies into the medieval Christianity. While in the Duomo, one must also pass by its extraordinary pulpit, which was designed in the 13th century by Nicola Pisano.