PIAZZA DEL CAMPO

They say Siena and one thinks immediately to the Palio. It's almost impossible, in fact, speaking of this enchanting Tuscan city and not remember this competition on horseback of medieval origins, unique in the world for participation, passion and intensity with which it is lived by all Sienese. So engaging is the climate that you breathe, to call each year, on July 2 and August 16, thousands of tourists who literally invade the city to live in the first person a very special event. Among the most significant of the Palio, we must recall the famous and harmonious Piazza del Campo, the heart of life of Siena and the track for the race, whose perimeter is dotted with 72 little columns, placed at equal distance from the one's others, where in the days of the Siena Palio bind his handkerchief. Three days before the Palio in the courtyard of Podesta, inside the Town Hall, trafficking takes place, namely the combination of horses to ten Contrade (all are 17) taking part in the race. The day of the race in the morning in the Chapel Square, adjacent to the Palace, takes place entry of Fantino, in the afternoon, however, after the blessing of the horse at the speakers delle Contrade, opened the lively and colorful parade with historic procession, passing by Salimbeni square, Piazza del Duomo (where the running flags, handling acrobatic gonfalons multicoloured) and reaching in Piazza del Campo. With its characteristic "shell" form the Piazza del Campo is one of the most beautiful and known in Italy. On the cobbled slabs and bricks, facing monuments that bear the splendour of the noble civilization municipal glorious period for the city. The Gothic Palazzo Pubblico, today the municipal museum, houses some of the greatest works of the School of Sienese painting that in the fourteenth and fifteenth century, contrapponeva for fame to the Florentine. The adjoining Torre del Mangia (which takes its name from campanaro Giovanni di Duccio, known as "Mangiaguadagni"), with its 102 metres high, dominates the old town and offers a spectacular view of architecture and the gentle landscape of campaign Siena. On the opposite side of the square, here finally, his last masterpiece, the imposing Fonte Gaia, a large tub made by Jacopo della Quercia in 1419.

WHAT TO SEE IN THE AREA:

Asciano, Buonconvento, le Crete Senesi, la Val d'Orcia.