Day Trips From Florence: Fast Facts About Siena

When you visit Florence, not only will you be privileged to be in one of the most art- andculture-fuelled cities in Europe, it can also serve as the ideal base from which to get out andexplore the surrounding Tuscany region. There are plenty of day trips from Florence tochoose from, but one of the most popular is to the hilltop city of Siena, which is just over anhour away by road.

Here are some fast facts to prepare you for a visit.

It’s UNESCO Protected

The entire centre of Siena comes under the protection of UNESCO, as a World HeritageSite. Designated in 1995, the city has been recognised for its magnificently preservedmedieval culture and architecture. It has numerous historic monuments and structures thatare considered among the most important in the country, including its Duomo, the PalazzoPubblico, Palazzo Sansedoni and the iconic Torre del Mangia.

The World’s Oldest Bank…

It’s a fairly impressive claim to be the home of the world’s oldest bank, but that’s exactlywhat Monte Dei Paschi is. Situated on Via Vallerozzi, it has been in business since itsfounding in 1472, although back then it started out as a pawn agency. It’s come a long waysince those humble beginnings, and throughout its long history has become intrinsicallyentwined with the economics of not just Italy, but also the rest of the world.

…and One of Europe’s Oldest Universities

Continuing the theme, the city is also home to the 750-year-old Università degli Studi diSiena, which today is renowned for its prestigious schools of Economics, Law, Managementand Medicine. Some of its most notable alumni include Pope Julius III, Pope John XXII andpolitical scientist Jean Blondel.

The World’s Craziest Horse Race

Of course that claim is entirely subjective, but anyone who’s attended the famous Palio, heldtwice annually, will certainly not forget the experience in a hurry! The races (which take placein July and August) are the most important events of the year and encompass manyhundreds of years of tradition – dating back to at least the sixth century. Each of the 17‘contradas’ (districts) of the city has a horse and rider to represent them and vie for thehonour of victory. The race takes place around the main square, the Piazza del Campo, thecentre of which is packed tightly with spectators, adding to the thrills and creating anatmosphere that’s nothing short of electric.

The Three Hills

Tuscany is dotted with hilltop towns and cities of varying sizes, but Siena is actually builtover three hills. Set in a breathtakingly beautiful landscape of vineyards and olive groves, thecity is spread over the hills and linked by steep steps, long, winding alleyways and secrettiny ‘shortcut’ streets known only to locals.

Memorable Day Trips from Florence

When you’re in Florence, it can be tempting to spend every hour of every day exploring thewealth of art, history and culture that abounds in this wonderful city, but you shouldn’tneglect the surrounding areas as well. Day trips from Florence, to places like Siena, Pisaand San Gimignano, will take you out into the stunning Tuscan countryside to discover justhow much more there is to this magnificent region.

Author PlateMauro Bramante is the Director of WalkAbout Florence, an independent business offeringunforgettable tours and excursions around Italy including the best day trips from Florence. Whether you want to ridea Vintage Vespa, try the famous Chianti wine or get cooking with fresh local ingredients,Mauro`s company promises excitement, adventure and above all, fun. If you`re keen to experience the magic of Italy with the help of some passionate and knowledgeable tourguides, look no further than  WalkAbout Florence for your next getaway.