District Guide

Siena, like many ancient Italian cities, lives up to the title luogo a misura d'uomo or "a place made for people". This is partly due to its compact size, which allows visitors to stroll leisurely about the city, and also due to the quantity and quality of the services that the town offers. There are good urban transport facilities here, as well as a large number of garages. Private cars have limited access inside the city walls, both because of the restricted amount of space and the complex street layout, and this allows drivers to leave their cars at the gates of the city while they enjoy themselves in the center. Even the banking services, such as the currency conversion services and general tourist assistance are top quality. It would be difficult to get away with anything less than great service here, as after all, this is the home of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the world's oldest banking establishment, founded in 1472.

The hotels and the restaurants here are extremely welcoming and still maintain the original spirit of the city. This helps to promote a wonderful sense of camaraderie between guests and locals, and visitors who are made to feel welcome leave with an increased respect for this friendly city. People generally flock to Siena for three reasons: art, architecture, and the Palio, the annual horse race in which the different districts of Siena compete. There is enough art here to keep even the most seasoned critic occupied, with sites like the Duomo, and the Pinacoteca Nazionale (National Art Gallery)-- but be warned: a day is really not enough time to unearth all the treasures that lie within these walls, as there is also a great deal of artwork spread around the city. Siena offers an opportunity to see how and where great works were conceived, just by looking around the city and visiting its churches. The experience of visiting the birthplace of major works of art offers a continuous feast for the eyes and brings joy to the soul.

One cannot forget about the Palio, which takes place at the large central square, the Piazza del Campo. On July 2 and August 16 (the more exciting date), the city goes back in time to revisit the old alliances and feuds between the districts of Siena. There are 17 contrade, (districts) in Siena, all of which have their own underground tricks or games which they harbor secretly for a year (and sometimes more). Since only ten districts can compete each year, the competition to be a part of the race is almost as important as the actual event! The Palio is more than just a race for the horses and their riders; it is also a matter of pride and ego for thousands of Senesi. The competition is fierce, with each neighborhood decked out in its colors (woe be to the unsuspecting tourist who proclaims his alliance in the wrong district of town), and if a jockey sells out to a rival team, he had better flee before his old supporters fully catch on. In the end, it comes down to traditional athletic competition, only one that started at the beginning of the last millennium, in 1147. Around this time, similar plots and schemes were being hatched in other cities, but none have maintained the popular appeal of Palio. One thing is certain - no one can claim to have properly experienced Siena without having seen it for themselves.

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