About Siena, Italy:
Siena is a Gothic city, laid out over the slopes of three steep hills whose soil yields the pigment Burnt Sienna (hence the name of the color). Founded by Augustus around the time of the birth of Jesus ((although legend holds that it was founded by Remus, brother of Romulus, the legendary founder of Rome) if has remained practically unchanged since the middle ages. A complete circuit of medieval walls surrounds the ancient buildings and narrow twisting streets leading to the magnificent Piazza del Campo, the iconic shell-shaped square in the heart of the city that is one of the most stunning public squares in the world. It has remained practically unchanged since medieval times. The Square is the location of the Palio di Siena, a historic horse race held twice yearly (July 2 and August 16).
In addition to its natural beauty and its excellent university, it is the home to both Saint Catherine of Siena and a Eucharistic Miracle.
Note: the city is spelled with one “n”, but sometimes spelled with two “n”s as in the case of the color.
Catholic places of interest in Siena, Italy:
Baptistry of Saint John the Baptist (Battistero di San Giovanni Battista): Magnifient artwork and pulpit by famous artists.
Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico (Basilica of Saint Dominic): Basilica Cateriniana San Domenico Houses relics of Saint Catherine of Siena.
Basilica San Francesco (Basilica of Saint Francis): The Eucharistic Miracle of Siena.
Siena Cathedral (Duomo): Stunning Gothic cathedral with intricate mosaics, marble floors, and works by artists like Donatello and Bernini.
Traveling to Siena, Italy:
Siena is located in central Tuscany, about 50 miles south of Florence. The city has frequent train service, usually via Florence.
The train station (Stazione di Siena) is located outside the historic city center, about 1.3 miles (2 kilometers) to the north. You can reach the city center by local bus, taxi, or by walking (which takes around 20-30 minutes and is uphill). Siena is a very compact city, which makes it ideal for exploring on foot.