Florence to Siena & San Gimignano Day Trip

The cathedral of Siena

Siena's Duomo is one of the great Italian Gothic buildings, covered in bands of white and dark green-black marble. The interior is just as striking. The floor is inlaid with marble scenes, and the pulpit was carved by Nicola Pisano. The Piccolomini Library, off the nave, holds vividly coloured frescoes by Pinturicchio. If you enjoy art history, the cathedral rewards slow looking, and a good deal of the city's wealth and ambition is stored in it.

The Palio and the contrade

Siena is divided into seventeen districts called contrade, each with its own animal or symbol, flag, colours and church. Loyalty to the contrada is lifelong and passes through families. The contrade take part in the Palio, a horse race run around the Campo twice each summer, on 2 July and 16 August. Ten contrade compete in each race, and the race itself is very short, which says something about how much the preparation and the pageantry matter. On or near those dates the city is extremely crowded.

San Gimignano and its towers

San Gimignano is often called the town of towers. In the Middle Ages, wealthy families built tall stone towers as a display of status, and many more once stood than survive today. Fourteen are commonly counted among the remaining ones, which still give the skyline its unmistakable shape.

Other landmarks include the Piazza della Cisterna, a triangular square with a thirteenth-century well at its centre, and the Collegiata, a church decorated with fresco cycles. The historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town is also known for Vernaccia di San Gimignano, a crisp white wine, and for saffron grown in the surrounding countryside.

Walking in a hill town

Hill towns are built for defence, not comfort, and the practical consequences are worth keeping in mind:

• Streets are steep and cobbled, so supportive shoes are far better than sandals.
• Churches expect covered shoulders and knees, so carry a light scarf or layer.
• Summer sun is strong on open squares, so a hat and water bottle are wise.
• Narrow lanes and big crowds mean valuables are safer kept in a front bag or pocket.

Both towns are small enough that wandering without a plan is part of the pleasure. Side streets away from the main squares are often quieter, and a glance upwards usually reveals carved stone doorways, iron lanterns and brick arches that date back centuries.