Siena Holiday Guide - an incredible city in Tuscany

Siena is justifiably one of Italy's most beautiful cities, if you are staying in a villa in Tuscany its worth making the trip for a perfect holiday. The central piazza known as Il Campo and known for its famous Palio horse race festival that takes place in the piazza twice every summer is an exquisite place to take lunch and watch the world go by.

There are numerous cobblestone streets to explore with shops to browse in and restaurants to taste the local tuscan cuisine.

The city sits over three hills with its heart being piazza Il Campo.The main building of interest is the Palazzo Pubblico and its tower, Torre del Mangia. 

For further places of interest to enhance your Siena holiday try the civic palace. In its courtyard are the entrances to the Torre del Mangia and to the Civic Museum. If you climb up the vast steps you will be rewarded with a wonderful view of Siena and its surroundings.

The Museum has some of the greatest Siena paintings ever made.

Siena is the birthplace of one of Italy's two patron saints, Saint Catherine of Siena, and the Chapel of Saint Catherine can be found within Siena's Basilica of San Domenico while the house she inhabited is part of the Sanctuary of Saint Catherine.

The Palio of Siena is the most exciting horse race, and is held twice every year, on July 2nd and August the 16th. 10 horses with riders, bare back and with dress in the correct colours for the city. The race is held in honour of Madonna of Provenzano. The Palio held on August sixteenth is the Palio dell'Assunta in honour of the Assumption of Mary.

Siena will really compliment your holiday stay in Tuscany