Location and distances
Siena is located in the centre of Tuscany, between the valleys of the rivers Arbia, Merse and Elsa, immersed in the typical Tuscan landscape defined by the rolling hills of Chianti to the north-east, by the Montagnola (an authentic green lung today a site of European Community interest for its natural and artistic features) to the west and the Crete Senesi to the south-east. It is easily reached both from the south (via the motorway A1 - exit Valdichiana - and then the Bettolle-Siena highway) or from the north or the airports (via the motorway A1- exit Firenze Impruneta - and then the Florence-Siena highway). Its immeasurable historical, artistic and landscape patrimony makes Siena, a capital of Gothic architecture, a masterpiece city, whose historic town centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site for its perfect stylistic geometry, unique in its kind. Within its walls is a veritable open-air museum, innervated by alleys and narrow streets, breathtaking views, hidden corners, wonderful gardens, ancient churches housing authentic works of art and splendid town squares. The most famous, Piazza del Campo, dominates in the centre: composed of nine segments that give it its characteristic shell shape, it is the scenic location in which is held, twice a year, the Palio, the ancient horse race in which the entire citizenry, organized in 17 districts, is involved, each with their own coat of arms. On one side of the square is the majestic Palazzo Pubblico, seat of the Municipality and the Municipal Museum, which dominates the square, softened by the elegance of the Mangia Tower, 87 m high, whose summit, reached by climbing over 400 steps, will reward you with a view over the entire city. The Palace is one of the most important examples of Gothic architecture and a treasure trove of artistic masterpieces with its majestic rooms open to visitors (among which we would like to point out the Hall of the Globe, the Consistory Hall and the Hall of Peace with works by Duccio di Buoninsegna, Simone Martini, Lorenzetti). Moving along the three main streets of the city (Via di Città, Banchi di Sotto and Banchi di Sopra), full of beautiful buildings, shops and artisan studios, you can visit the monumental Basilica of San Domenico or Palazzo Chigi Saracini, rich in history and seat of the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, an advanced school among the most prestigious in the world, and then on to Piazza del Duomo. Here you come to the recently restored, imposing 13th century façade of the Duomo. The floor of the Duomo (completely uncovered and visible from mid-August to late October) is a “Bible in pictures” with 56 marble panels with marquetry and graffiti executed between 1369 and 1547 after the designs of great artists. In front is the ancient Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala, one of the oldest in Europe, built along the important Via Francigena to provide assistance to pilgrims going to Rome and today a museum complex. In Siena, handicrafts, typical sweets, cheeses, cured meats and wine achieve excellence and send a message of strong cultural and local tradition so a food and wine stop is a must for the traveller and will seal the memory of an unforgettable holiday, complete under every aspect.
Airport: Firenze 89 km, Pisa 121 km, Bologna 171 km, Roma Fiumicino 264 km, Milano Malpensa 421 km
Train station: Siena 16 km
Highways: Coming from North:A1 exit Firenze Impruneta 72 km. Coming from South: A1 exit Valdichiana 57 km
Shops and services: San Rocco a Pilli 3,6 km, Siena 7 km
Beaches: Tyrrhenian Sea: Castiglione della Pescaia 87 km
Access roads: 1,5 km of unpaved road (only in some stretches)
Attractions within 100 km: Siena (Historycal centre) 9 km, Monteriggioni 24 km, San Galgano 31 km, Rapolano 34 km, Gaiole in Chianti 41 km, Radda in Chianti 41 km, Montalcino 45 km, Greve in Chianti 50 km, San Quirico d'Orcia 51 km, San Gimignano 49 km, Volterra 62 km, Montepulciano 68 km, Pienza 74 km, Cortona 77 km, Arezzo 77 km, Firenze 80 km
Altitude: 252 slm