8 Historical Sites in Sienna

Duomo Di Siena, an Italian iteration of The Siena Cathedral, holds a captivating story of rich art and architecture. This Monumental complex is home to the work of masters whose names resound in the history of European art. This includes sculptures by Michelangelo, Donatello Bernini amongst other notables. In the museum, lies a display of Maesta, the famous painting of Duccio di Buoninsegna which was originally painted for the high altar of the cathedral.

A breathtaking architectural masterpiece is the marble inlay floor of the cathedral which has enshrined in its figured panels, a message calling to embrace wisdom in addition to the uniqueness of the technique used for the marble floor construction.

The fusion of fate with culture and art provides visitors with a fascinating tour as you explore the magnificence of Duomo Di Siena with its mosaic floor,  the  "gate of heaven" and the Piccolomini Library. The Museum and the "New Cathedral" with its Unfinished Fa¸ade, which continues with the Crypt and the Baptistry.  With all the splendour, Duomo Di Siena is a rich historical sight to behold indeed.

Address:Piazza del Duomo, 8, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siena_Cathedral

Dubbed as one of the best medieval squares of Europe, the Piazza del Campo is celebrated for its beauty and architectural excellence and is regarded as one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. It serves as the major public space of the historic centre of Siena, Tuscany, Italy with the architecture bell tower and shell shapes form reaffirming its aesthetic credence.
Asides from the aesthetics and structural pedigree, the Piazza del Campo is well recognized as the venue of the twice-yearly horse race whose roots are ancient and traditional. Every July and August, the square is prepared for racing as sand, grit, and dirt are arranged around its edges to make it resemble a horse race track.
Just atop the square is the  Fonte Gaia, whose name is linked to the celebration of the first time that the water flowed in the Piazza del Campo. 

Address:Il Campo, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_del_Campo

Standing tall as a symbol of power and elegance, the Torre del Mangia whose construction began in 1325 and finished in 1348, is regarded as the third tallest tower in  Italy. This tower is built from red brick as an emblem of its connection to the commoner; most of its height is visibly made of brick while the summit of the tower is white travertine, which makes the tower visually distinct. The architectural design of the tower of Mangia is credited to the brothers  Perugia, Muccio, and Francesco Di Rinaldo. The bell which is housed at the summit of the tower is attributed to another architect Lippo memmi. The tower has narrow stairways with irregular heights which make it not very befitting for climbing and might deter tourists, but the views offered through the narrow openings on the way up are fascinating and the adrenaline rush as you begin to climb is second to none.

From the top of the tower, it is easier to go to the Duomo Di Siena which is almost as high as the tower and observe the magnificent view from top to bottom.

Address:Piazza del Campo, 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Torre_del_Mangia

Situated in the heart of the Piazza del Campo is the Palazzo Pubblico in the Tuscan city of Siena.
Built in the 13th century on the order of a council of merchants and bankers known as the Nine, the public palace presents a breathtaking view for tourists due to the intricacy of the frescoes present in the palace.  The frescoes, unconventional in their character and design, are attributed to the then governing bodies who took charge of the commissioning.
In the public palace lies the Salone del Gran Consiglio, the largest council chamber of the palace whose style and architecture retains a uniqueness that provides a panoramic view of the premises. The lower part of this building is made of stone with arches and the lower part is made with bricks. The palace holds numerous artefacts and treasures from the medieval area and is a great avenue to explore the rich history of Tuscan in Siena.

Address:Piazza del Campo, 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palazzo_Pubblico

Often referred to as Basilica cateriniana, this church is a reflection of the magnificence of simple design and architecture. It is of great significance to the people of Siena and portrays an appealing gothic structure. The famous church includes a large edifice and is magnificently designed with intriguing brick patterns. 

Towards the left side of the church is a bell tower whose height diminished following an earthquake in 1978. The interior of the church is not left out In the aesthetic appeal; it was designed to assume the shape of an  Egyptian cross and possesses a huge nave with beautiful trusses and remarkably styled transepts. Various eye-catching and prized paintings are splashed across the wall depicting excellence in art and design.

Address:Piazza S. Domenico, 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilica_of_San_Domenico ,_Siena

Highlighting the economic history of Siena is the Piazza Salimben, a famous square in central Siena which still houses the offices of one of the pioneer banking houses in Europe, the Banca Monte Dei Paschi di Siena. Located in the centre of this square is the statue of one of the first Italian economists, Sallustio Bandini who also happened to be a Sienese priest.
Currently, the square holds a neo-gothic appearance due to the restructuring instituted by the architect Giuseppe Partini towards the end of the 800s. Behind the square, the ninth-century façade of the Salimberi Fortress is eminent. The fortresses possess a great collection of arts and various masterpieces, which tell the story of the economic history of Siena.

Address:Piazza Salimbeni, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Piazza_Salimbeni ,_Siena

This Facciatone, Italian for the large facade, is uncompleted facades of the great project of the new cathedral of Siena proposed to be in trecento but stalled by the black plague incidence. The Facciatone is prided in having the most fascinating panoramic point of view on the city.
The architecture of the facade is one that is awe-inspiring; The side opposite the square is faced with Tuscan bands of black and white marble. The Facciatone is adorned with various sculptures and carved segments including a bas-relief in the lunettes depicting a Madonna and Child and a Redeemer Blessing amidst Two Cherubs credited to Giovanni d'Agostino,  the great sculptor.
The construction possesses three arcades and is lined by galleries and staircases that allow you to reach its peak and have the best point of view of the city.

Address:Piazza del Duomo, 53100 Siena SI, Italy

The abbey of San Galgano is a monastery that was founded in the valley of the river merge between chiusdino and monticiano. The main areas which need to be appreciated are the monastery which includes the first and gigantic gothic church which has lost its roof and the hermitage of Monte siepi which is reported to be the retirement area of San Galgano.

Towards the monastery is a fascinating alley lined by blooming cypresses that offers the most calming feeling as you walk towards the entrance of the Abbey. From the abbey, a path leads to the hermitage, now a chapel constructed after San Galgano’s death. Visible in the centre, is an eminent stone which has embedded in it, his sword, as a symbol of peace to give up fighting.

Address:Strada Comunale di S. Galgano, 53012 Chiusdino SI, Italy
Website: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbey_of_San_Galgano