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Siena, Tuscany, Italy. Siena’s enduring artistic glories are largely Gothic photos by Vyacheslav Argenberg –

Top 10 Facts about Siena, Italy

Siena is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena. The city is historically linked to commercial and banking activities have been a major banking centre until the 13th and 14th centuries.

Italy is a beautiful country on the Mediterranean coast, rich in cultural traditions. Famous for its magnificent art and architecture that stand as reminders of the Renaissance, Italy has much more to offer to tourists who visit the land. Siena is one of the Italian cities with a great deal of historical significance.

Siena is a city of art, mystic and sweet, passionate and generous. It is pleasant to walk without a goal in its gothic small streets, fenced side by side with palaces. Here are the top 10 facts about Siena, Italy.

1. Siena was first established between 900 and 400 BC

Bronze statue of the Roman Emperor Augustus photo by Gary Todd from Xinzheng, China –

Siena, like other Tuscan hill towns, was first settled in the time of the Etruscans (c.900 鈥� 400 BC) when it was inhabited by a tribe called the Saina. The Etruscans were a tribe of advanced people who changed the face of central Italy through their use of irrigation to reclaim previously unfarmable land and their custom of building their settlements in well-defended hill forts.

A Roman town referred to as Saena Julia was founded at the site at the time of Emperor Augustus.

2. It鈥檚 founders were Senius and Aschius

According to local legend, Siena was founded by Senius and Aschius, two sons of Remus and thus nephews of Romulus, after when Rome was named. Supposedly after their father鈥檚 murder of Romulus, they fled Rome, taking with them the statue of the She-wolf sucking the infants, thus appropriating that symbol for the town.

Additionally, they rode white and black horses, giving rise to the Balzana or coat of arms of Siena with a white band atop a dark band. Some claim the name Siena derives from Senius.

Other etymologies derive the name from the Etruscan family name Saina, the Roman family name Saenii or the Latin word Senex 鈥榦ld鈥� or its derived from Seneo 鈥渢o be old鈥�.

3. The city of Siena is built on three hills

Siena, Tuscany, Italy. Tuscany (Italian Toscana) is a region in central Italy. photo by Vyacheslav Argenberg –

The Tuscan city developed on three hills connected by three major streets forming a Y-shape and intersecting in a valley that became the piazza del campo. The Seven-Kilometer-long fortified wall still surrounds the 170-hectare site.

Protected gates were double at strategic points, such as the porta camellia on the road to Florence. Inside the walls tower houses, palaces, churches and other religious structures survive.

4. It joined the United Kingdom of Italy in 1861

The site of Siena was originally an Etruscan settlement that later became the Roman city of Sena Julia. This colony disappeared, but the new Siena that later developed flourished under the Lombard Kings. In the 12th century, it became a self-governing commune.

In the centuries that followed, Siena changed hands fairly frequently. Its rulers included the Visconti family, Charles V and the Medici family. Cosimo I de Medici introduced strict anti-banking laws into the city, which did little to help its economy. Eventually in 1861 Siena became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, within a unified Italian state.

5. Siena has a total of 17 districts

Siena has a total of 17 districts, famously known as contradas, which come together twice a year on July and 16th August, to compete against each other. The 17 districts Siena is divided into comprise:

• Aquila
• Bruco
• Chiocciola
• Civetta
• Drago
• Giraffa
• Istrice
• Leocorno
• Lupa
• Nicchio
• Oca
• Onda
• Pantera
• Selva
• Tartuca
• Torre
• Valdimontone

6. Siena鈥檚 historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage site

Siena 46DSC_0232 photo by J谩nos Korom Dr. –

Siena is a city in Tuscany, it is one of Italy鈥檚 premier examples of Gothic architecture and it features one of the most beautiful and best preserved historical centres in Europe. For these merits, in 1995 the city was awarded the title of UNESCO World Heritage site.

It is one of the most visited tourist cities in Italy and is one of the cities with the most attractions visited by tourists in entire Italy with over 163,000 international arrivals in 2008. Siena is famous for its cuisine, art museums, and medieval city.

7. The city is home to the world鈥檚 oldest bank

Monte dei Paschi Bank of Siena, Siena, Italy. photo by DV –

The city is historically linked to commercial and banking activities, having been a major banking centre until the 13th and 14th centuries. Siena is also home to the oldest bank in the world, the Monte dei Paschi bank, which has been operating continuously since 1472.

8. Siena is a city with various museums

Cathedral of Siena, Tuscany, Italy. photo by Raimond Spekking –

The Palio di Siena and the Contrade are very well known worldwide, but very few people are aware of the fact that each of the 17 historical districts in which the city is divided has a museum full of art and history.

Every Contrada jealously guards its treasures and its memories, so that every one of these museums is a shrine of beauty telling the story of the people of the District through the centuries.

9. The city prohibits traffic within the old city walls

No auto traffic is allowed within the old city walls. There are various car parks outside the city and pedestrians rule the cobblestone streets within.

10. It is famous for the Palio horse race held yearly

A moment of the Test in Piazza del Campo photo by Roberto Vicario-

In addition to its breathtaking architecture, Siena is also famous for the Palio, the horse race held every year at the Piazza del campo, a shell-shaped square and one of the world鈥檚 most fabulous open spaces. The 鈥淧alio delle Contrade鈥� has been a popular festivity since 1656 on the 2nd of July and August 16th.