Historic Centre of Siena: Siena is a small medieval town in Tuscany, it is situated about 40 km from San Gimignano and about 70 km from Florence. Florence was the major rival of Siena in the 13th century. Siena preserved its medieval architecture including the town walls and its city gates. The Piazza del Campo is one of the most beautiful town squares in Europe. The Piazza del Campo in Siena is used for the famous horse race in Italy, Il Palio. The famous Fonte Gaia, the Gaia Fountain, is situated on the Piazza del Campo. The 102 metres high Mangia Tower was built between 1338 and 1348. The top of the Mangia Tower offers breathtaking views over Siena and the surrounding landscape of Tuscany. The historic centre of Siena is dominated by the Siena Cathedral. The cathedral was built in 1215-1263 and constructed of blackish-green and white marble, the symbolic colours of Siena. The Siena Cathedral has an inlaid mosaic floor, the She-Wolf of Siena is among the oldest mosaics in the cathedral. The She-Wolf is the symbol of the Siena. The Historic Centre of Siena gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1995.
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Historic Centre of Siena: The Piazza del Campo and the Gaia Fountain, the Mangia Tower casts a long shadow across the square. The Piazza del Campo is a shell-shaped square in Siena. Scenes from the James Bond film 'Quantum of Solace' were filmed on location in the Piazza del Campo in Siena during the most famous horse race in Italy, Il Palio.
Historic Centre of Siena: The Piazza del Campo and the Gaia Fountain, the Mangia Tower casts a long shadow across the square. The Piazza del Campo is a shell-shaped square in Siena. Scenes from the James Bond film 'Quantum of Solace' were filmed on location in the Piazza del Campo in Siena during the most famous horse race in Italy, Il Palio.
Historic Centre of Siena: The square Piazza del Campo and the famous Fonte Gaia Fountain, the sculpted wolves spouting water represent the mother-wolf of Romulus and Remus. The present fountain was built in 1419. The sculpted panels depict scenes from the Bible, the original marble panels of the Fonte Gaia Fountain were replaced by copies in 1858.
Historic Centre of Siena: The Piazza del Campo or Il Campo, the main square of Siena, seen from the Mangia Tower. The Mangia Tower was built between 1338 and 1348 and is 102 metres high. To reach the top, you have to climb more than 500 steps, the top of the tower offers wonderful views of Siena, the Piazza del Campo and the Gaia Fountain.
The historic town of Siena seen from the Mangia Tower. The historic town of Siena is dominated by Siena Cathedral. The exterior of the cathedral is made of white and blackish-green marble in alternating stripes. The façade of Siena Cathedral was completed in 1380. The historic centre of Siena was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1995.
Historic Centre of Siena: Siena Cathedral and the campanile, the bell tower, were constructed of blackish-green and white marble, the symbolic colours of the city of Siena. The Romanesque campanile was completed in the 14th century. Siena Cathedral is one of the great examples of the Italian Gothic architecture. The historic centre of Siena is a UNESCO World Heritage.
Historic Centre of Siena: The vaulted ceiling and the blackish-green and white marble columns of the nave of Siena Cathedral. The vaults are painted blue and adorned with numerous golden stars. The inner wall of the façade is decorated with 15th century reliefs, depicting the life of the Virgin Mary and the story of Sant'Ansano.
Historic Centre of Siena: The dome of Siena Cathedral is decorated with golden stars. The axis of Siena Cathedral runs north-south, rather unique among Christian churches. There were plans to double the size of the cathedral, but the money run out and the construction was stopped, the new nave is still unfinished.
Historic Centre of Siena: The She-Wolf of Siena is one of the scenes in the inlaid mosaic floor of Siena Cathedral. The coloured marble mosaics cover the entire floor of Siena Cathedral. There are 56 mosaic scenes depicted on the floor. The She-Wolf of Siena is among the oldest mosaics in the cathedral. The She-Wolf is the symbol of the city of Siena.
Historic Centre of Siena: Two workers restoring the mosaic floor of Siena Cathedral. The marble floor mosaics of the cathedral were created from the 14th century until the 16th century, it took almost two hundred years to complete the floor. Another important work of art is the octagonal marble pulpit, a Gothic masterpiece by Nicola Pisano.
Historic Centre of Siena: The impressive vault of the Piccolomini Library, the library is situated inside Siena Cathedral, it was constructed around 1492 to house the collection of illuminated manuscripts of Pope Pius II, born as Enea Piccolomini, the walls and the vault are sumptuously adorned with frescoes, painted by Pinturicchio.
The Campanile of Siena Cathedral towers high above the historic centre of Siena. The cathedral was built on the highest point of Siena. The dome is topped with a gilded lantern and resembles the sun, it was made by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The historic centre of Siena gained the status as a UNESCO World Heritage in 1995.
Historic Centre of Siena: The 13th century town walls of Siena still exist today. The city of Siena rises on three hills and is surrounded by the beautiful rolling hills of Tuscany. Between the 11th and 16th centuries, Siena was one of the most important city-states of Italy. The major rival and enemy of Siena was Florence.
Historic Centre of Siena: Siena was situated along an important trade route. During the Middle Ages, Siena was a wealthy city, it influenced the art and architecture in Italy and also elsewhere in Europe. The medieval art of Siena is unique and of great importance, the most famous artists lived and worked in Siena.
Historic Centre of Siena: One of the historic city gates of Siena. Siena is a small medieval city in Tuscany, situated about 40 km from San Gimignano and about 70 km from Florence. Siena has preserved its unique medieval architecture including the town walls and city gates. Siena is one of the most visited tourist attractions in Italy.