Historic Center of Siena

The historic centre of Siena

The historic centre of Siena is a medieval town setting that has remained almost intact since the thirteenth century, listed as world heritage. The Siena audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this beating heart with brick alleys, divided into contrade, a jewel of Tuscany.

The medieval town that has remained intact

Welcome to the beating heart of Siena, a true medieval town setting that has remained almost intact since the thirteenth century. Unlike many other towns, Siena has kept its original urban fabric, with its narrow and winding alleys, its houses and its red brick palaces, its towers, its squares and its churches, forming an ensemble of rare coherence and beauty. This exceptional preservation earned the historic centre to be listed as UNESCO world heritage. The town is traditionally divided into contrade, the historic districts, each with its name, its colours, its emblem and its pride, which confront one another during the famous Palio. To get lost in this medieval labyrinth, to raise the eyes towards the façades and to wander from square to square is one of the finest experiences that Italy can offer. A jewel of the Middle Ages and an urban masterpiece, the historic centre of Siena is the heart of the discovery of the town.

What to see

Here you wander in the medieval town that has remained almost intact since the thirteenth century, with its narrow and winding alleys, its houses and red brick palaces, its towers, squares and churches, listed as UNESCO world heritage, and traditionally divided into contrade, the districts that confront one another at the Palio. The historic centre is the heart of Siena. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The historic centre of Siena is explored on foot, its alleys being largely pedestrian. It is a freely accessible public space; the monuments, museums and shops have their own hours. Good shoes are recommended for the sloping streets.

Why is the historic centre of Siena listed by UNESCO?

For its exceptional preservation: Siena has kept its medieval urban fabric almost intact since the thirteenth century, with its alleys, its brick palaces, its towers and its churches, forming an ensemble of rare coherence and beauty.

Where is the historic centre of Siena?

In the heart of Siena, in Tuscany, in Italy.