Location: Province of Siena
Top Things to do in Province of Siena
Countries
Top 10 Historic Sites in Province of Siena, Tuscany
The Province of Siena (Italian: Provincia di Siena) is a province in the Tuscany region of Italy. Its capital is the city of Siena.
Restaurants in Province of Siena
1. Badia a Marturi
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
2. Torre e Casa Campatelli
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 244 reviews
Located in San Gimignano, Campatelli is an 18th-century building that features one of the town’s famous medieval towers. The residence of a high-ranking family in the 19th and 20th centuries, Casa Campatelli reconstructs - through its fornitures, decor, paintings and private mementos - the ambience and history of a traditional Tuscan family and society of a bygone age, set against the background of 1000 years of history, recounted with sophisticated digital technology that encapsulates the origin of the legend of San Gimignano, givin visitors a deeper insight unto the town.
Reviewed By g0rd0n250 - San Gimignano, Italy
It is well worth visiting this house early on if you are visiting san Gimignano for the first time- and don’t miss the excellent video presentation. This gives a brief insight into the history of both the house and the town and helps put much of what you see later ( such as the frescoes in the duomo) into context.
3. Centro Storico di Siena
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 2,424 reviews
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
A fantastic city that left us speechless. The historic center of the splendid Tuscan city is a treasure trove. Thanks to its urban and architectural characteristics, the historic center of Siena is a testimony of man's creative genius, and concretely expresses the artistic and aesthetic human capacity. Furthermore, the original example of figurative civilization, in architecture, painting, sculpture and urban planning, has determined an important cultural influence not only in the territory of the Republic of Siena, but also in Italy and Europe, in particular between the thirteenth and seventeenth centuries . This is why Siena is one of the most excellent examples of an Italian medieval and Renaissance city. And above all, this is why she entered, with good reason, to be part of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is, in fact, the era when numerous artists had the opportunity to express their art here and the city was adorned with wonderful monuments, such as the Duomo, the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia. Piazza del Campo is the same where the famous Palio takes place. Full of restaurants and bars, it is famous for its characteristic trapezoidal shape, downhill towards the center, where the Gaia spring is found, a copy of the fifteenth-century work by Jacopo della Quercia. All around the square stand out the monumental buildings including Palazzo Sansedoni and Palazzo Pubblico. The height of the Torre del Mangia, which dates back to the forties of the fourteenth century of 102 meters, is equal to that of the bell tower of the Cathedral to symbolize the balance achieved between divine and earthly power. At the foot of the tower stands the Piazza Chapel, a marble tabernacle with splendid sculptures inserted in the Gothic niches. Even in addition to Piazza del Campo, however, it is a riot of art and architecture with the succession of churches, including San Domenico, San Francesco and Santa Maria dei Servi, and, of course, the spectacular Duomo, one of the greatest examples of Roman style Italian Gothic. Built around the 12th century, it has a Latin cross structure, a dome, a bell tower and its facade is all in white marble with red Siena and green alternations. Its interior houses precious works by Bernini, Donatello, Michelangelo and Pinturicchio.
4. Abbazia di Sant'Antimo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,474 reviews
Reviewed By AllanJGJ - Wellington, New Zealand
This beautiful church is all that remains of a Benedictine monastery supposedly founded in the time of Charlemagne although construction of the current church apparently started in 1118. If you look at the altar step you can see an inscription with this date. It has a lovely, stark Romanesque feel inside but it's the outside aspect that's particularly appealing. In a lovely setting surrounded by greenery it's stone seems to glow honey-like in the afternoon sun. When you reach the fork in the approach road where you should turn right turn left for a couple of hundred yards for the best distance photos before retracing your steps. What a lovely spot. We visited as part of a circle trip to Montalcino, the Abbey and the delightful Bagno Vignoni, making for a superb day.
5. Tumulo Etrusco Di Mucellena
6. Palazzo Chigi Saracini
7. Battistero di San Giovanni
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 873 reviews
Reviewed By belleretraite - Montreal, Canada
a lot of people miss the visit of the Battistero because even though the entry fee is included on the same ticket as the Duomo , the Battistero is a separate building accessible by descending steps at the back of the Cathedral . The outside is very nice but the inside is striking , specially the ceiling !
8. Casa di Santa Caterina
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 523 reviews
The house of the Patron Saint of Europe.
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
In addition to St. Francis of Assisi Italians have another patron saint as a nation, namely Saint Catherine of Siena. A woman who, in her short earthly and great spiritual life, bore all the hardships and problems of the Church of her time. The shrine of St. Catharine of Siena presented us with the environment in which she lived during the 14th century. The native house of St. Caterina of Siena was transformed into a sanctuary in 1464 and there you can find many signs about her life. Catherine Benincas was born on 25 March 1347 in Siena, Fontebranda Street. She was the penultimate of the 25 children born in the large family as a twin sister with Giovanna that shortly after the birth dies. Her father Giacomo Benincasa and mother Lapa Piacenti were a wealthy family. They were engaged in dyeing fabric and leather. Siena was a rich city, and their wealth was based on the wool trade. Katarina since her childhood has been searching for silence, prayer, solitude, and regularly visits the nearby Basilica of Saint Dominic held by the Dominican Fathers. At only six years old (1353) she had her first vision. Over the roof of St. Dominic's Basilica, she saw a smiling Christ seated on a throne in papal garb accompanied by the apostles Peter and Paul and St. John the Evangelist. She decided to join the Dominicans, but as the family objected, she decided to cut her hair in protest. In isolation, she sought clarity and a path for three years. She watched God’s heart carefully to learn how to live according to God’s plans. Living in great intimacy with Jesus, in one vision Jesus instructed her to consecrate herself to the apostolate.Thus, she spent the rest of her life caring for the sick of the plague, visiting the poor, reconciling quarreling relatives, traveling, pursuing high politics and reconciling citys i states, advocating for the restoration of the Church and the return of Pope Gregory XI to Rome from Avignon. She found strength in the Eucharist. She did not eat anything for days, only receiving the Eucharist. So small, illiterate, St. Catharine became a Church scholar and co-protector of Europe: building in herself, in a deep dark cell, a place of encounter with God. She's worthy of awe. The House-Sanctuary consists of various environments, on the right the Chiesa del Crocifisso (Church of the Crucifix) (the artwork from which the St. Caterina received the stigmata in the Chiesa di Santa Cristina in Pisa in 1375), on the left the Oratorio Superiore (Upper Oratory) with beautiful majolica floor, the Oratorio della Camera frescoed in 1896 by Alessandro Franchi, and the Chiesa di Santa Caterina in Fontebranda, with a wooden statue by Neroccio and paintings by Della Pacchia and Sodoma.
9. Abbazia di Monte Oliveto Maggiore
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 937 reviews
Reviewed By Toscoantico - Pisa, Italy
With my family we visited the abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore in September 2020 during our holidays in Val d'Orcia and this place, together with others such as the Temple of San Biagio, the Chapel of Vitaleta, the abbey of Sant ' Antimo, the gentle hills with the little big gems on the top, will remain one of the most beautiful images in my mind. The abbey is located in a pine forest with beautiful surroundings, the structure itself is very beautiful and the atmosphere is very serene. The abbey is still functioning according to the Benedictine rule and therefore it is not possible to visit it entirely but the part that can be visited is definitely worth. In addition, the visit is free, a non-binding offer may be requested. The Cloister of the Abbey contains the most important work of art of the complex, a cycle of frescoes on the stories of San Benedetto painted both by Luca Signorelli (the first 8 lunettes 1497-1498) and by Antonio Bazzi known as Sodoma, a curious nickname , (the remaining 26 lunettes painted after 1505). You can also visit the church, the refectory, the library and the pharmacy of the monastery plus a small exhibition of paintings from various periods. Serenity, History, Art and Harmony, Val d'Orcia at its best.
10. Volpaia
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 392 reviews
Reviewed By valerie210 - Atlanta, United States
I will return here. This is the idyllic Tuscan setting. A charming hilltop town complete with chapel, winery, wine bar, and Michelin star restaurant. Super private and very quiet. If you’re looking for a relaxing spot to have great food and wine, come here! Our driver Antonio brought us here in between our wine tasting at Fontodi and dinner at Dario Cecchini’s Officina della Bistecca. We didn’t know what to expect and were thrilled when we pulled up to hill to this sweet town. We walked up and got an impromptu wine tasting from Francesco. We tasted just about everything in their line up, except the sparkling, which we happily took chilled with us to dinner. We just had awesome tastings at San Felice and Fontodi and Volpaia’s wines stood up to the excellent offerings at these nearby spots. This is a wonderful place to get introduced to Chianti Classico. Next time we are in Tuscany I will definitely look at staying here. It’s absolutely beautiful and has everything you need!
