Beauty, Madness and Passion in Siena: A Guide to the Unique Tuscan Town

At first glance Siena may seem like many other Tuscan hilltop towns filled with rich history, art, culture and exquisite cuisine. On this walking tour, you’ll scratch beneath the surface to see what truly sets it apart.

The tour starts in front of the beautiful and imposing Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico. You’ll learn all about the country’s patron saint and, if you desire, pop into the church to see where Caterina’s head can be found! You can’t visit Siena without feeling the presence of St Catherine, Santa Caterina, who rose from humble beginnings to become one of the most influential and feared voices in the 1300s.

As you make your way to Chiesa di San Pietro alle Scale (St Peter on the Stairs), where our tour ends, I’ll share Siena’s fierce history of independence. You’ll hear how the city held on to its Republican structure until it was eventually swallowed up by the Granduchy of Tuscany and the powerful Medici family. You’ll also find out about its colourful history of division, where areas around the city are separated into districts known as contrade. And you’ll hear about the world-famous Palio di Siena horse race.

On this 90-minute Siena walking tour, you’ll:

• Visit Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina, the house and sanctuary of Saint Catherine
• Admire the iconic arches of Via della Galluzza, one of the city’s most photographed areas
• Hear about the desperate competition between Siena and Florence to see whose Cathedral was bigger
• Breathe in the centuries of knowledge at the Piccolomini Library
• Gaze upon Santa Maria della Scala, one of Europe’s most ancient hospitals dating from around 1090
• Take in the beautiful sight Siena’s rooftops, Piazza del Duomo and the Siena Cathedral from the abandoned remains of Duomo Nuovo
• See the harmony and architectural beauty of Piazza del Campo
• Stroll down Via San Pietro where you’ll find the Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena, the city’s National Gallery
• Learn about the typical food and wine of Siena

Along the way, you’ll also hear the answer to questions like:

• Would St Catherine have appreciated having her head on show and what happened to the rest of her body?
• Why was Via delle Carrozze closed off for so many centuries?
• What are the arches in via Galluzza for?
• Where can you get the best scenic views of Siena?
• Why was the building on the Duomo Nuovo suddenly abandoned?
• What is so special about Sienese garlic?
• What are Pici all’aglionre and what wine should you drink with them?

By the end of this tour, you’ll have a better understanding of Siena’s history, a greater appreciation for its noteworthy buildings, and a hunger for traditional Sienese cuisine!