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Siena: We will head towards the South of Tuscany to visit Siena. The historical enemy of Florence. Many battles were fought between the two cities. Only once Siena defeated Florence, 1260 4th september battle of Monteaperti. The rivalry is still strong as the sienese say that the best thing that happened to Florence was the 1966 flood that almost drowned the entire city. Siena is the medieval and gothic jewel of Tuscany, not having been effected in a great manner by the Renaissance period.
Thanks to our official permits, we will drive through the pedestrian narrow, windy roads of the city to reach the beautiful recently renovated cathedral, right in the heart of town. Once we park the car, we will walk you through the main street and to one of the most breathtaking squares in Italy, Piazza del Campo. This is where the Palio Horse race is held; twice a year, July 2nd, August 16th.
This is the reason the people of Siena are so proud Of their roots. Walk through the streets the days before the race and every citizen in the streets is putting up an act making it seem like they are part of an open-air theatre play Will then give you some free time until lunch time.
Until the XI century Monteriggioni was a station of a standstill on the Francigena Road in Tuscany. Siena transformed Monteriggioni in the imposing Fortress to the protection of the boundary north in the wars against the enemy Florence. Inside Monteriggioni there were in XIV century beyond 150 families with about 600 inhabitants.
The wall was arisen since 1213 (see the headstone on the Romea Gate) until 1219 and then they strengthen in varied years (1260, 1279) until 1545. The wall up of Monteriggioni is long beyond 500 meters, tall twenty meters and surrounded from 14 towers to square base. The Fortress in the beyond two hundred years “of use” spent of the hand between Florence and Siena.
Next is the town of San Gimignano, also known for its beautifully preserved medieval towers . 14 left out of 72 initially built in the 13th century.
We will walk you to the square of the well, the centre of the town for you to enjoy All the fine shops which also sell the local smooth, dry white wine called Vernaccia, and most of all the best ice cream in the world.