If your time is limited in...
by acemj
If your time is limited in Siena as mine was, make sure you bring good walking shoes and stroll the Centro Storico, the city's historic center. It is a relatively compact area that surrounds the Piazza del Campo, but be prepared for lots of hills and steep steps that lead out of the the square itself.
The Piazza is supposedly one of the best in Italy. You'll find that it's a great gathering place for locals and tourists alike. In fact, the streets in Siena all funnel downward toward the Piazza, so it's difficult to get lost. There are some great shops and restaurants in the area.
The stables, very important contrada part
by Trekki
Since the horses play the major role during Siena’s Palio, each contrada has a stable of course. Most stables are not marked at the doors (of course, since each contradaiolo knows where his stables are), but some are and have quite beautiful decoration on the doors, like the one of Selva (photo 1 and 2). Nicchio’s stable has only a small sign and the one of Chivetta I only regognised from the documentation I have linked above. During the time of Palio, the horses live in these stables, well, they sleep there and are fed. A fence will separate the stables of course and the ones who take care of the horses are always there to make sure that the horse is well all the times. In the Palio documentation (6 videos) I have linked above Civetta’s stable is also visible from the inside and I must say that the horse has a much better “home” for these days than many people!
The Campanile - be in time
by globetrott
Be in time back at the campanile, as the time indicated on your ticket is ment for the moment your ticket is controlled by the person sitting on the 3rd floor of the tower.
The first steps are easy to climb and rather wide, so it is no problem to meet the people coming back from the tower
Coffee & gelato with a view
by sue_stone about Gelateria La Costarella Caffe
Gelateria La Costarella Caffe is located just off Piazza del Campo, and is a busy little place. A great place for a quick coffee, gelato or snack, and if you eat in, see if you can nab one of the little seats out on the tiny terrace that looks over the magnificent piazza - this is one of the special places in Siena!
On our last visit to Siena (Sep 2007) we spent some time sitting on the terrace enjoying the views over the square. On our first visit to Siena we stopped into Gelateria La Costarella Caffe and bought some tasty gelato, which we ate on the mini terrace. Second time round we stopped in for a quick 'pick me up' coffee, eyeing out the gelato for a later date.
The café caters for tourists, with friendly enough English speaking staff, and there is also a toilet if you can be bothered queuing.
The best part is at the top!
by Jefie
In 1339, at a time when Siena was one of the most prosperous cities in Italy, plans were made to expand the cathedral and turn it into what would have been the biggest cathedral in the world. Construction of the new 30 x 50 m nave had just begun when the city was hit by the Black Death in 1348, which is estimated to have killed about two thirds of the population. The project was left unfinished, and in what would have been an aisle of the new nave, it's now possible to visit the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. Each duomo in Italy seems to have its museum showcasing works of art that were initially found inside the cathedral, but the one in Siena, established in 1869, turned out to be our favourite. The museum's extensive collection of paintings, sculptures, tapestries and manuscripts is very well presented, and the best part is that you can go up a narrow staircase that leads to the very top of what would have been the facade of the new nave. The view from up there is amazing! You'll find the small door leading to the "facciatone" at the back of the room called "Hall of Vestments" - the 131 steps are not exactly easy to negociate, but it's truly worth the effort!
Open daily. Admission to the Museo dell’Opera is included in the duomo’s combined ticket (12 Euros).
This... is a rather broad street :-)
Taking another look at Siena
View of Palazzo Pubblico
THE hearty pork stew
