Three are the places you cannot absolutely miss when visiting Siena: Piazza del Campo, the Cathedral or Duomo, and the National Art Gallery or Pinacoteca.
Let's start with Piazza del Campo.
This square is the heart of Siena.
This is where the world renown Palio of Siena takes place twice a year.
Here you will find the magnificent Torre del Mangia tower, finished building in 1348 and 102 meters (335 feet) tall, the second tallest in Italy.
All around you are some of the most prestigious restaurants in Italy, as they have the privilege to offer you a sitting in such a breathtaking spot on earth.
If you are in Siena during the Palio days you will see a completely different picture of the city, and even more so of Piazza del Campo.
The square is completely transformed, jumping back to the Renaissance when Palio races first started out employing cows instead of horses, as it is custom today.
The stone ring is covered by a thick layer of dirt, more gentle on the hoofs of the 10 racing horses; shops, restaurants and home entrances are covered up by wooden bleechers; the inner ring is enclosed with solid wood railings, while the windows of the town hall and the historic Chigi-Zonzadari, Sansedoni, and Piccolomini palaces are draped with their distinguishing heraldic.
One senses that all is ready for the race.
On any other week of the year Piazza del Campo preserves all its fascinating beauty.
This is the place where you have to be, especially while enjoying a Tuscan dish sitting under the shade of the Mangia tower.
The tower can also be visited inside.
However, its 503 ancient steps to the top are for the brave ones only.
Leaving the piazza, just walk along Via di Citta' for 5 minutes heading towards the Piazza del Duomo, where you will find the wonderful Cathedral, so characteristic with its dark green and white marble stripes.
The Duomo is a wonderful Gothic building finished around the year 1348.
The date is uncertain as the black plague of that year decimated the population to the extent that works had to be stopped forever.
Indeed, the original plans of the Duomo included two additional parts, with the existing one being just the left nave.
When you get to the Duomo square do not forget to walk along the right external side of the Cathedral.
Looking up you will realize that the upper walls and the marble columns, now outside the building, were built to be part of the inner structure of the central nave.
Just try imagining the size and splendor of what the Cathedral was supposed to become.
Nonetheless, many think that the current size is just perfect for Siena.
Entering the Duomo you will be astonished by the quantity of wonderful masterpieces, one of the most important being the hexagonal pulpit by Pisano.
Right in front of the Duomo is the Santa Maria della Scala, the former hospital of the city, now a museum with unique original frescoes and important exhibits.
It is just staggering to think that in those very rooms adorned with wonderful masterpieces painted on walls and vaulted ceilings patients used to be cured right up to the year 1993.
The third stop of your visit is the National Art Gallery, or Pinacoteca.
You will find it in the 14th century Buonsignori palace, 200 yards away from the Piazza del Duomo.
Here you will find the most complete collection of Sienese paintings by artists such as Duccio di Buoninsegna and Simone Martini.
The gallery includes works of art from the 11th to the 16th century.
However, my advice is to focus on the Trecento school, being that the apex of Sienese painting.
This is the best way to get to know Siena on the first visit.
Piazza del Campo, the Duomo and the Pinacoteca are the three must-see places of Siena and you can't say to have visited the city if you miss one of them.
One last advice: try to be in Siena during the days right before the Palio (which is on July 2 and August 16), unless you wish to see the race itself.
You will experience Siena at the highest of its vitality.
Let's start with Piazza del Campo.
This square is the heart of Siena.
This is where the world renown Palio of Siena takes place twice a year.
Here you will find the magnificent Torre del Mangia tower, finished building in 1348 and 102 meters (335 feet) tall, the second tallest in Italy.
All around you are some of the most prestigious restaurants in Italy, as they have the privilege to offer you a sitting in such a breathtaking spot on earth.
If you are in Siena during the Palio days you will see a completely different picture of the city, and even more so of Piazza del Campo.
The square is completely transformed, jumping back to the Renaissance when Palio races first started out employing cows instead of horses, as it is custom today.
The stone ring is covered by a thick layer of dirt, more gentle on the hoofs of the 10 racing horses; shops, restaurants and home entrances are covered up by wooden bleechers; the inner ring is enclosed with solid wood railings, while the windows of the town hall and the historic Chigi-Zonzadari, Sansedoni, and Piccolomini palaces are draped with their distinguishing heraldic.
One senses that all is ready for the race.
On any other week of the year Piazza del Campo preserves all its fascinating beauty.
This is the place where you have to be, especially while enjoying a Tuscan dish sitting under the shade of the Mangia tower.
The tower can also be visited inside.
However, its 503 ancient steps to the top are for the brave ones only.
Leaving the piazza, just walk along Via di Citta' for 5 minutes heading towards the Piazza del Duomo, where you will find the wonderful Cathedral, so characteristic with its dark green and white marble stripes.
The Duomo is a wonderful Gothic building finished around the year 1348.
The date is uncertain as the black plague of that year decimated the population to the extent that works had to be stopped forever.
Indeed, the original plans of the Duomo included two additional parts, with the existing one being just the left nave.
When you get to the Duomo square do not forget to walk along the right external side of the Cathedral.
Looking up you will realize that the upper walls and the marble columns, now outside the building, were built to be part of the inner structure of the central nave.
Just try imagining the size and splendor of what the Cathedral was supposed to become.
Nonetheless, many think that the current size is just perfect for Siena.
Entering the Duomo you will be astonished by the quantity of wonderful masterpieces, one of the most important being the hexagonal pulpit by Pisano.
Right in front of the Duomo is the Santa Maria della Scala, the former hospital of the city, now a museum with unique original frescoes and important exhibits.
It is just staggering to think that in those very rooms adorned with wonderful masterpieces painted on walls and vaulted ceilings patients used to be cured right up to the year 1993.
The third stop of your visit is the National Art Gallery, or Pinacoteca.
You will find it in the 14th century Buonsignori palace, 200 yards away from the Piazza del Duomo.
Here you will find the most complete collection of Sienese paintings by artists such as Duccio di Buoninsegna and Simone Martini.
The gallery includes works of art from the 11th to the 16th century.
However, my advice is to focus on the Trecento school, being that the apex of Sienese painting.
This is the best way to get to know Siena on the first visit.
Piazza del Campo, the Duomo and the Pinacoteca are the three must-see places of Siena and you can't say to have visited the city if you miss one of them.
One last advice: try to be in Siena during the days right before the Palio (which is on July 2 and August 16), unless you wish to see the race itself.
You will experience Siena at the highest of its vitality.