Some advertisements for Tuscan villas stress their proximity to Siena. Just what does this wonderful city have to offer and why is it so important?
Considering a holiday break in one of the stunning Tuscan villas? Many advertisements for Tuscan villas stress how convenient they are for getting to the city of Siena. What are the attractions of this ancient city and why is it so important to visit it on a Grand Tour of Italy?
Siena's Famous Horses
It could be easy to describe Siena as being the city where “people put on medieval costumes and ride horses around a packed city square”. That quite often gets gasps of recognition and people usually exclaim that yes, they have seen that on TV or in a movie.
In fact, this horseracing is a critically important part of Siena’s history and cultural background. The technical name for the race is “Il Palio”, and in fact there are two each year – with one taking place on July 2nd and the other on August 16th. The origins of the race are far from well understood, but it is known to go back to medieval times. What's not widely known is that the riders sit astride their horses bareback, and jockeys being thrown to the ground and injured is far from uncommon.
The race is actually part of a much larger parade and festival, which attracts huge numbers of people to the city every year. If you are staying in one of the Tuscan villas within easy access of the city, it is well worth attending - even though you will need to anticipate vast crowds and plenty of pushing and shoving. Even at the best of times Italians aren’t particularly talented at queuing in an orderly fashion, and you are even less likely to see examples of that at Il Palio!
Other Attractions of the City
Of course, it’s worth stating that Siena is about more than its two horse races and parade each year. It is a stunningly beautiful medieval city with many attractions to experience.
Among the top "must-see" items on your itinerary should be a visit to the cathedral started in the 13th century, the new cathedral, and the Piazza del Campo, which is the heart of the city and has its origins again in the medieval period.
If you are an art aficionado, you simply must visit the Museo Civico to see some breathtakingly beautiful examples of the Sienan school of art. There are also numerous other galleries and museums around the town, all with wonderful exhibitions that will whisk you back centuries.
This town is also world-famous for it traditional soups and unique roast-meat products based on special local breeds that you won’t find anywhere else. Eating out here is a true culinary delight, and some people would make a strong argument for saying that you’ll find some of the best Italian food anywhere in Siena.
If you are looking at renting one of the beautiful Tuscan villas, consider one within easy proximity to this great city. With even a short day trip, you'll find yourself swept up in its natural beauty and cultural and artistic attractions.
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