|
Siena (58,000 Einw.) an old Roman town foundation, later under the rule of the Langobarden and Karolinger, became in the 12th Cent. an independent republic and experienced in the future its
highest bloom. In the middle of the 16th Cent. the city was conquered by the Spaniards and fell thereafter to the duchy of Tuscany. Siena is located on three hill backs of the Monti chianti, surrounded by a luxuriant landscape with vineyards and olivegroves, which owe the city their wealth. Siena could retain until today its medieval townscape, including the old citiy walls and gates, which makes her probably one of the most beautiful cities of the Tuscany. The city center is formed by the shell-shaped, like an amphitheatre rising place Il Campo, which ranks among the most beautiful medieval places at all. At its straight side is located the Palazzo Pubblico (early 14th Cent.) with the Torre del Mangia (1325-1344) and the Cappella di Piazza (1352). Right opposite is the Loggia della Mercanzia (1417-1428), which is build half Gothic and half in Renaissance style. Furthermore here the Palazzo Sansedoni as well as the Palazzo Piccolomini (1469) are situated.
|
At the three main streets - via di Città, Banchi di Sopra and Banchi di Sotto -, which are located star shaped on the hill backs up to the Piazza del Campo, are the large aristocracy palaces and the elegant shops of the city. The whole interior district of Siena is auto-free since 1959, and on these three flat running roads the strolling is pleasant even for those, who feel the up and down there by close lanes as somewhat cumbersome. |
|
 |
In the highest place of the city (365 m) the Gothic cathedral build from black and white marble rises majestically. Its western front (1380) ranks among the most beautiful creations of the architecture of that time, the floor consists of 56 fields with marble inlaid work of the 14th, 15th and 16th Century. In the 14th Cent. the city administration decided to transform the building into a monumental cathedral in which the today's cathedral should became the transept. But the plague of the year 1348 and sudden lack of money destroyed the presumptuous project. In the unfinished constructions today the cathedral museum is accommodated. Under the choir of the cathedral is the baptistry. On top of the opposite hill, northwestern, the massive brick basilica S.Domenico, and in the northeast, likewise in dominating place, the church S.Francesco are situated. Siena has a 700 years old university and with the Accademia Chigiana one of the most well-known and most famous schools of music of Italy. |
|
