What to do in Siena

Here you can find some advices on events, museums and other places in Siena you shouldn't miss...

Special events in December: "Mercato nel Campo"

From 6th to 8th December, a suggestive Christmas market is set up in the iconic Piazza del Campo. Since 2009, the event calls in mind the historic medieval “Mercato Grande”, a traditional market which used to take place in Siena in the 14th century.

More than 100 stands offer the best food and wine, as well as handcrafted objects and accessories, creating the very special Christmas atmosphere we are all waiting for. Not only irresistible Tuscan food and traditional Sienese sweets, like Ricciarelli and chocolate Panforte: if you are an antiquarian or art lover you could find exclusive objects, otherwise you can simply complete in time the list of upcoming Christmas gifts!

The Cathedral and "Opera del Duomo" museum

One of the most magnificent treasures of Siena is the Cathedral, with its Crypt and Baptistery. The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is an outstanding example of Romanesque-Gothic church in Italy. Imposing and quite impressive for the extensive use of the white marble, it fascinates even from the outside. Entering, you will not be disappointed: the interior is minutely decorated with white and dark green marble columns and a truly breathtaking starry ceiling. Nevertheless, one of the most impressive works inside the Cathedral is the pavement, consisting of 56 squares which represent scenes engraved and carved in marble. The most precious intarsios are covered part of the year in order to protect them from wear.

"Opera del Duomo" museum is one of the oldest private museums in Italy and is located in the south side of the Cathedral. Here, you can admire the original statues from the facade of the Cathedral, including those made by Giovanni Pisano, the window of the apse by Duccio da Buoninsegna and one of the greatest masterpieces of the early Fourteenth century by Buoninsegna: the altarpiece of the Majesty. Here you can enjoy another spectacular view of the city from the “Facciatone”, a part of the uncompleted project for the “New Cathedral” of the 14th century.

Piazza del Campo

Piazza del Campo is one of the most iconic and truly unique square of the world, with its shell shape, bricks pavement and for all of the buildings facing on it. This place hosts, twice a year -- on July 2nd and August 16th -- the famous Palio, the most exciting event by all of the citizens in Siena.

In the square, you can admire the Fonte Gaia, the largest fountain of the city originally decorated with sculptures by Jacopo della Quercia. The fountain today is a copy made in Carrara marble (the ancient one has been restored and is visible within the museum complex of Santa Maria della Scala). 

Among the buildings overlooking Piazza del Campo, you will see the city's town hall, Palazzo Pubblico, and its tower, the so called Torre del Mangia.

The colossal Palazzo Pubblico houses the Civic Museum with several masterpieces of Sienese artists, including the beautiful Majesty by Simone Martini and the cycle of frescoes called "Good and Bad Government" by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. 

The tower, with its height of 87 meters, offers one of the most beautiful and spectacular views of the city and is really worth the “effort”!