Our tour of Siena begins in the heart of the city in the famous shell-shaped square: Piazza del Campo. The square gets its dramatic appearance from the sloping red brick pavement arranged in a herringbone pattern in alternation with stripes of gray stone. The effect is particularly striking if you look at the magnificent Palazzo Pubblico with its three orders of arches on the façade, and the Mangia tower, which rises to 120 meters. The square is also framed by palaces and the arcaded Cappella di Piazza, which is found to the left of the Palazzo Pubblico. At the edge of the red brick area lies the beautiful Fonte Gaia, by Jacopo della Quercia. To see the magnificent masterpieces preserved in the Civic Museum, cross through the narrow courtyard, the Cortile del Podestà, and go up to the second floor of the Palazzo Pubblico. You should definitely visit two of the museum's rooms: the Sala del Mappamondo with the ”Maestà“ by Simone Martini, and the Sala del Nove, frescoed by Ambrogio Lorenzetti.

After this first taste of Sienese art and history it is time to get familiar with the flavors of the local cuisine. At the Le Logge restaurant, just a few steps away from the Piazza del Campo, you can try the famous pici pasta, a type of Sienese spaghetti. After lunch, we head to Piazza Duomo, another cornerstone of the city's artistic and religious life, but before we get there we pass through the adjacent Piazza San Giovanni, where we can take a look at the Baptistry of San Giovanni ; the baptismal font is attributed to Jacopo della Quercia. Behind the baptistry the Piazza Duomo opens up offering a glorious view of the magnificent Duomo with its unmistakable black and white marble façade. Inside, in the left side-aisle you will find the Piccolomini Library which preserves illuminated manuscripts and a splendid cycle of frescoes by Pinturicchio. Another famous building in the square is Palazzo dell'Arcivescovado, where you can admire the ”Madonna del Latte“ by Buontalenti. Adjacent to the Cathedral, you will see the unfinished structure that was to become the new nave of the church in the 14th century before the plague devastated the city. Later, this part of the building was roofed over, and it now holds the Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana with a number of paintings and sculptures, mostly from the Cathedral, and the ”Maestà“, a masterpiece by Duccio di Buoninsegna. If you go up to the third floor of the museum, there is a small door that leads out to the unfinished façade of the Cathedral. Once outside you will find yourself presented with a stunning view of the city. Leaving the museum, we head for the tasty ricciarelli (Sienese almond cakes) and panforte at the excellent Bini cake-shop.

In the evening, the wine bars of Siena are some of the liveliest places in town, thanks to the city's long love affair with good wine. If a nice glass of wine sounds like a good idea, wander around the streets that surround Piazza del Campo, where you will find wine bars of every shape and size. If you want to enjoy traditional Sienese cuisine for dinner stop at Enoteca I Terzi.

Our visit starts from Piazza del Duomo today. Across from the stairs of the Cathedral is the long stone and brick façade of a building, the 14th-century Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala, well-known for the cycle of frescoes in the old infirmary: the Sala del Pellegrinaio. Recently, the National Acheological Museum was moved here. It holds a collection of important Paleolithic, Etruscan and Roman finds. Next to the Palazzo dello Spedale is the small Church of Santa Maria della Scala, with a bronze statue of Christ Resurrected. After visiting the church, you can stop by the Antica Drogheria Manganelli, on Via Città, which offers a large selection of foods and wines for sale. Also on Via Città, at number 115, you will find a charming store called Antiche Dimore that sells high-quality upholstery fabrics and linens for the home. If you want to continue on your quest for local products, go to the Enoteca Dolci e Cantine, at 24 Via dei Pellegrini, which sells high-quality wines, ”cantucci“ (rusks) and ”vin santo“ (sweet white raisin wine).For a quick lunch break with traditional local cooking and good wine head for Il Grattacielo, a characteristic restaurant that gets its ironic name (the skyscraper) from its very low ceiling.

Siena abounds with splendid historic buildings. Proceeding along Via Banchi di Sopra you will find some of the most magnificent examples in the city. Palazzo Tolomei, for example, which is situated in Piazza Tolomei, is the oldest in Siena, dating back to the 13th century. In the same square you will also find the beautiful Baroque Church of San Cristoforo . In Piazza Salimbeni, you will find 14th century Palazzo Salimbeni, which is now the seat of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank. From here, we proceed along Via della Sapienza and the Costa Sant'Antonio, arriving in front of the Church of Santa Caterina, the patroness of Siena. This special church was converted into a sanctuary during the mid 15th century. Along this street you will find the Fonte Branda, the most beautiful fountain of the city. Continue along and take the stairs of San Domenico to the Basilica of San Domenico, where you can admire the most authentic portrait of St. Catherine.

We continue our journey in search of authentic Sienese flavors. You may want to try Carroccio, a tavern on Via Casato di Sotto that offers outside dining, weather permitting. With a little luck, you may be able to attend a concert at the Accademia Chigiana, which offers a wonderful occasion to take in the beauty of the concert halls as well as the exquisite music.

From Croce del Travaglio you can take any of the three main streets of Siena: Via di Città, Via Banchi di Sotto and Banchi di Sopra. Here, you will also find the elegant Loggia della Mercanzia, which dates back to the first half of the 15th century. At 75 Via della Città, you will find the 14th century Palazzo dei Patrizi, which houses the Intronati Library. At number 89 on the same street, you will find Palazzo Chigi Saracini, home of the Accademia Musicale Chigiana, and at number 126, the Palazzo Piccolomini delle Papesse. Once you arrive at the Piazza Postierla take Via San Pietro to Palazzo Buonsignori, which is the seat of the National Picture Gallery. There are a number of masterpieces here, like the ”Madonna with Child“ by Simone Martini, the ”Madonna dei Francescani“ by Duccio di Buoninsegna and the ”Piccola Maestà“ by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Next, we head to the Church of Sant'Agostino with its beautiful frescoes by Lorenzetti. Finally, across from the church, we take a look at Palazzo Pollini, an architectural masterpiece by Baldassarre Peruzzi. If you would like to enjoy lunch with an excellent view of Piazza del Campo, go to Al Mangia, a Sienese institution.

Afterwards, you might want to visit the Antique Market, held on the third Sunday of each month in Piazza del Mercato, where you will find beautiful period furnishings. And for Sienese food lovers, a stop at Fattoria Toscana, in Via della Città is a must. If you choose to continue your tour of Siena, head back to Piazza del Campo and take Via Banchi di Sotto. At number 52 you will see the Palazzo Piccolomini, with its beautiful ashlar façade that dates back to the 15th century. Next to it lies the impressive Logge del Papa, a monumental building commissioned by Pope Pius II Piccolomini. Afterwards, we immerse ourselves in the medieval setting of Vicolo San Vigilio, which leads to the Corte del Castellare degli Ugurgieri, a typical example of a house-fortress. Not far from here is the Church of Santa Maria di Provenzano, which has a relief of the ”Madonna di Provenzano“, highly venerated by the Sienese.

In the evening, you can enjoy excellent Sienese cuisine in a typically medieval setting at the Gallo Nero, located a stone's throw from the Cathedral. This comfortable and characteristic restaurant offers an atmosphere of yesteryear.