Siena Audio guided walking tour 1h15 and 20 audio comments

Perched on the hill of Camporegio, the Basilica of San Domenico is one of the great landmarks of Siena. It was started in 1226, then expanded in the 14th century. Its red brick silhouette may seem austere, but it is precisely the style of the great begging orders, like the Dominicans to whom it belongs.

Congratulations! When you came to meet Siena, you chose a tour that tests endurance. Built on three hills, the Tuscan city imposes its rhythm between steep stairs and vertiginous descents, enough to put your knees to work.

Here you are in Piazza Salimbeni, a small elegant square in the heart of Siena. At its centre stands the statue of Sallustio Bandini, an 18th-century cleric considered one of the pioneers of modern economic thought. All around, three palaces form a solemn decoration, the most famous of which is the Palazzo Salimbeni, historic seat

Welcome to the beating heart of Siena, a true medieval city setting that has remained almost intact since the 13th century. While Florence and Pisa competed for power, Siena developed a city plan of rare harmony, which resembles a life-size work of art.

Here you are, facing the Basilica of St Francis. It is one of the great churches of Siena, and was built by the Franciscans in the 13th century. True to their spirit of simplicity and poverty, they chose a deliberately stripped-down style: a vast single nave, without too much decoration, designed to welcome a large number of the faithful and emphasize preaching.

You are here in front of the Palazzo Tolomei, which gives its name to the square. It is one of the oldest private houses in Siena, built in the 13th century for the Tolomei family, rich merchants and bankers who were among the most powerful in the city.

In this square, two monuments immediately attract attention. First, the column surmounted by the She-Wolf, an inseparable symbol of Siena. It recalls the Roman legend of Romulus and Remus, but here the story takes a local turn: according to tradition, it was the sons of Remus, Senius and Aschius, who fled Rome after the death of their father.

You are at Croce del Travaglio, the crossroads where the three main streets of Siena meet. Here stands the Loggia della Mercanzia, built in the 15th century as a meeting place for merchants and commercial court. Beneath its large arcades of light stone, we negotiated, signed contracts and settled disputes between traders.

Back in the main square, it is high time to take stock of Siena’s most emblematic and important event: its famous Palio. Settle down comfortably while we tell you a little of its history. Because the Palio de Siena is not just a horse race. It is the soul of the city, the tradition that unites and divides,

Easily recognizable by its long, slightly curved Gothic façade, Palazzo Chigi Saracini is reminiscent of the emblematic Palazzo Pubblico, even if their history is totally different. Its construction dates back to the 12th century, under the leadership of the powerful Marescotti family, whose emblem – an eagle with spread wings –

Overlooking Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia are the most powerful symbol of Siena. Built from 1297 and inaugurated in 1310, the communal palace housed the seat of the Government of the Nine, the ruling body of the Republic of Siena at its peak.

An absolute symbol of Siena, Piazza del Campo was conceived in the 13th century as the true heart of the city. At the time, an immense financial and urban effort transformed an insalubrious plot into a monumental square, intended to represent the city’s power vis-à-vis its rivals, led by Florence.

Located below the cathedral, the Battistero di San Giovanni is one of the jewels of the monumental complex of Siena. Its construction began in 1316, under the direction of the architect Camaino di Crescentino, and its square shape contrasts with the traditional octagonal structure of the Italian Baptistries.

The Facciatone, literally the “great façade”, is one of the most striking testimonies to Siena’s interrupted ambitions. It is the monumental remnant of the Duomo Nuovo project, launched in 1339. The idea was to build a gigantic cathedral, which would have eclipsed all the others in Europe.

It is hard to imagine Siena without its cathedral. The Duomo di Siena is one of the jewels of medieval Italy, a religious, political and artistic work that has marked the history of the city. Its construction began in the 13th century, on the site of an ancient Romanesque church, and spanned nearly 200 years.

At the foot of the cathedral lies one of Tuscany’s largest cultural centres: the museum complex of Santa Maria della Scala. This huge building, which stretches over nearly 40,000 m2, was first one of the oldest hospitals in Europe, mentioned as early as the 9th century and developed from the 12th.

From this viewpoint on Via del Costone, you will find a real Tuscan postcard. The ochre red of the roofs and facades of Siena contrasts beautifully with the greenery of the hills. Just below, we can see the ancient city walls, witnesses of centuries of rivalry and Siena's desire to protect itself

This is probably the most famous medieval fountain in Siena: the Fontebranda. Mentioned as early as 1081, enlarged in the 12th century and rebuilt in 1246, it now boasts its Gothic façade with three large arches, topped by a crenellated crowning. But behind its picturesque charm lies a little jewel

Facing you stands the Basilica of the Madonna di Provenzano, a monument that embodies the soul of Siena. Built at the end of the 16th century in a Mannerist style, it is distinguished by its white marble facade. Its large dome, almost invisible from the outside, reveals itself much better once inside.

On your left is the House and Shrine of Saint Catherine, where Catherine Benincasa, daughter of a dyer who became patron saint of Italy and a major figure in medieval spirituality, was born and raised. After its canonization, the family house was bought by the municipality and transformed into a sanctuary.