Things to see in Siena in one day

Let's go visit Siena! Here you are a one day walking tour to visit this wonderful city with lot of stuff to see!

You can reach the city center from the train station with a bus, nr. 007 or 009 will take you very close to the San Domenico Church which was built in the 12th century and where, in a chapel, are kept the remains of Saint Catherine of Siena.
Go now in Via della Sapienza and follow it until you reach Piazza del Campo where the famous Palio di Siena takes place and which is characterized by its peculiar shell-shape and the important buildings facing the square. Among them the the Palazzo Comunale (also known as Palazzo Pubblico), built between 1297 and 1310. In every main hall frescoes are found which, unlike all the other frescoes of that time, were commissioned by the govern instead of the Church. In the second floor there is, since the 1930s, the Museo Civico, a museum divided in 5 halls in which are exposed frescoes, canvas and sculptures mainly from the Seniese school. For more information on tickets and opening hours visit the official site of the Museo Civico. Next to the Palazzo there is Torre del Mangia, the bell tower. It is one of the highest and oldest towers in Italy from which you can admire a wonderful view of Siena and the surrounding countryside. In the square you can also admire the Fonte Gaia. It means Fountain of Joy and it's called like this because the day of its opening it was met with much joy.

Go to Via dei Pellegrini which will lead you to the Cathedral of Santa Maria assunta, the Duomo of Siena and next to it the Baptistery. The Duomo was built in the 12th century and the façade is mainly decorated with white marble with some red marble decorations. It took a long long time to build the Cathedral and the result is that there are two different styles for the bottom and upper part of the façade. Whilst the bottom part was built by Giovanni Pisano in a Romanic-Gothic style, the upper part was built by Camaino di Crescentino in International Gothic style. Pisano also sculpted the 14 sculptures we can see on the façade and they all symbolize the coming of Christ. The entrance ticket for the Cathedral, the baptistery, the Oratorio and the Museo dell'Opera is 12 euros. 

Go now to Via del Capitano and you will reach the National Gallery Art, where works of many Sienese artists are exposed. It started as private collection in 1700s and in 1933 became property of the Govern. It is the most important museum of the city and you can find Sienese paintings from the 13th to the 18th century. Keep walking and you'll see the Orto Botanico, a botanic garden. The oldest information about the garden are from the 17th century and it is now divided into 3 sections: one for the herbs used in pharmacy, perfumery and cooking, one for exotic and Tuscan plants and the last one for exotic potted plants only exposed during summer.

Go now to Via Sant'Agata until you reach the Piazza del Mercato (market square) and from here you can take a bus to go back to the train station.

Hope you enjoy the visit!