The central square of Siena, where the facades of luxurious palazzi and mansions overlook. In the north-western part of the piazza there is a marble Fountain of joy (Fonte Gaia), created at the beginning of the XV century. The place has gained fame thanks to the Palio races, which are held here every year. Piazza del Campo is considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe.Text

The traditional horse races, which are held annually in Siena on July 2 and August 16. The history of the competition goes back to the XVI century, when the residents of the city came up with a new holiday instead of the forbidden bullfight. Each district (contrada) Sienna puts her jockey on the Palio. The process of choosing a rider is accompanied by colorful rituals that have not changed since the Middle Ages.

The palace on the Piazza del Campo, built in the XIII-XIV centuries specifically for meetings of the republican government of Siena. The building is built in the best traditions of medieval architecture in Italy with some emphasis on the Gothic style. Next to the palazzo stands the Torre del Mangia, a 102-meter-high bell tower topped by a covered marble gallery.

The fountain decorated the Piazza del Campo in 1419. The sculptor J. della Quercia worked on its creation. Fonte Gaia is made in the form of a pool into which water flows from the mouths of marble wolves and lions located around the perimeter (these animals are the symbol of Siena). Magnificent sculptures are placed in the arched niches of the walls. The originals of these statues are now in the Palazzo Pubblico Museum. Tourists can only see copies at the fountain.

A solemn temple of Gothic architecture, erected in the period 1215-1263. The famous Niccolo and Giovanni Pisano worked on its creation. Individual works continued until the XIV century under the supervision of various architects. The facade and interior of the building are decorated with white, black and red marble. Inside the cathedral there is a statue of John the Baptist by Donatello and a pulpit made by N. Pisano.

The library is located on the territory of the Siena Cathedral in the halls painted with frescoes of the beginning of the XVI century by the painter B. di Betto, better known as Pinturicchio. These images are of great cultural value, as well as a Roman sculpture of the IV century, located at one of the walls. The book depository was created in 1492 at the request of Cardinal F. Piccolomini Todescini to house the collection of books of Pope Pius II.

The baptistery is part of the architectural complex of the Siena Cathedral. It was built in 1316-1325 by C. di Crescentino in the Italian Gothic style. Famous Renaissance sculptors – Donatello, L. Gierti, G. di Neroccio, D. di Turino, J. della Quercia - worked on the marble baptismal font and elements of the interior decoration. The walls of the baptistery are painted by the hand of L. di Pietro (known as Vecchietta).

The Museum of 1869, located in the Siena Cathedral. The exposition occupies several halls of the right nave. The museum's extensive collection consists of marble sculptures by L. Pisano, J. della Quercia, D. Martini and other masters, as well as works by Renaissance and Late Baroque painters. It is also home to Donatello's famous work "Madonna del Perdono".

The museum's exposition is located on the first floor of the Palazzo Publico. It consists of works of art created by craftsmen and artisans mainly during the XIV-XVI centuries. The museum has collections of ceramics, weapons, coins, jewelry and sculptures. The walls of the halls where the exhibition is located are decorated with artful frescoes by A. Lorenzetti. Previously, the city council met in these premises.

Saint Catherine of Siena was a religious and political figure, as well as a talented writer. Her works contributed to the formation of the literary Italian language. She was canonized in the XV century, and in the XIX century she was declared the patroness of Italy along with Francis of Assisi. In an old house of the XIV century, where the saint's family lived, a sanctuary was organized, which quickly turned into a pilgrimage center.

In the Middle Ages, Santa Maria della Scala was known as one of the largest hospitals in Europe. Here they gave shelter to pilgrims, wanderers, provided assistance to street children and disadvantaged citizens. The main facade of the complex overlooks the Piazza del Campo. Nowadays, the Archaeological Museum, the Briganti Library, the Center for Contemporary Art and the Children's Art Museum are located on its territory.

An art gallery occupying the buildings of Palazzo Buoncignori and Palazzo Brigidi. Her collection consists of works by Italian masters who worked during the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, as well as works from later times until the end of the XVIII century. In the 1970s, the exposition was replenished with works by Flemish and German painters. In addition to painting, sculpture is exhibited in the pinakothek.

The temple of the Dominican Order, built in the XIII century. The structure looks more like an impregnable fortress with massive walls and narrow loophole windows than a place where people come to pray and ask God for help. The fact is that during its construction, the probability of a military clash with the neighboring Florentine Republic was taken into account. In case of war, it was possible to hide in the basilica and withstand a siege.

The temple of the XIII century, which belonged to the Franciscan monastery. The facade and the right wing of the structure have retained the features of the Romanesque style in their appearance, the rest of the parts are made in a later manner of Italian Gothic. In 1655 there was a devastating fire that destroyed the magnificent Baroque interiors of the basilica. After the restoration, the interior decoration was given a more modest look.

The temple of the XV century, originally built in the Gothic style and subsequently rebuilt several times in accordance with more modern architectural standards. The last reconstruction of the church was carried out in the XX century. The interior of Santa Maria dei Servi is painted with frescoes depicting the lives of the evangelist apostles and episodes from the life of John the Baptist.

The palace was built by order of the noble Mariscotti family in the XII century. In the following centuries, the structure changed hands several times. Each new family decorated the building according to their ideas of beauty. The last owner of the palazzo was Count Chigi-Saracini, who in 1932 established a music academy on the territory of the palace, which later became famous all over the world.

The defensive structure was built in the XVI century, when the history of the Republic of Siena was already coming to an end. On the edges of its powerful fortress walls there are side pentagonal bastions. Over time, the fort lost its military significance and was disarmed, and a picturesque city garden was laid out around the walls. Today, the fortress houses a library, an audio archive, a wine cellar and an office of the Jazz Association.

Fontebranda is a fountain located on the site of an ancient source of fresh water. Its streams flow alternately into three bowls. From the first, people quenched their thirst, the second was used to water animals, the third for washing clothes and other household needs. In the XIII century, a pavilion was built here. The fountain is located on the territory of the city district of the same name.

The history of the garden began in the XVI century with the pharmacy garden at the University of Siena. In the XVIII century, exotic plant species began to be cultivated here. Over time, the area became scarce, and in the XIX century the plantings were moved to the place where they are still. The territory of the garden is divided into landscaped areas – a rock garden, a fern forest, agricultural land, tropical greenhouses.

Agricultural lands and natural landscapes of the Italian province of Tuscany, located in the vicinity of Siena. This picturesque and fertile valley is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Val-d’Orcha consists of well-kept vineyards, cultivated fields, cypress groves and green hills, among which numerous farms and small private estates are spread out.