Things To Do
Cripta del Duomo
Routine excavation work revealed this crypt, which had been hidden for centuries under the grand pavimento (floor) of the Duomo and was opened to the public in 2003. In the late 13th century, an unknown master executed the crypt's breathtaking frescoes, which have sustained remarkably little damage and have retained their original colors. The Deposition/Lamentation proves that the Sienese school could paint emotion just as well as the Florentine school—and that it did so some 20 years before Giotto.
Piazza del Duomo
Siena's cathedral is one of Italy's finest Gothic churches. The multicolored marble and painted decoration are typical of the Italian approach to Gothic architecture—lighter and much less austere than the French. The amazingly detailed facade has few rivals. It was completed in two brief phases at the end of the 13th and 14th centuries. The statues and decorative work were designed by Nicola Pisano and his son Giovanni, although much of what's seen today are copies, the originals having been moved to the adjacent Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana. The gold mosaics are 18th-century restorations.
Museo dell'Opera
Part of the unfinished nave of what was to have been a new cathedral, the museum contains the Duomo's treasury and some of the original decoration from its facade and interior.
Piazza del Campo
The fan-shaped Piazza del Campo, known simply as Il Campo (The Field), is one of the finest squares in Italy. Constructed toward the end of the 12th century on a market area unclaimed by any contrada, it's still the heart of town. Its brickwork is patterned in nine different sections—representing each member of the medieval Council of Nine.
Santa Maria della Scala
For more than 1,000 years, this complex across from the Duomo was home to Siena's hospital, but it now serves as a museum containing, among other things, Sienese Renaissance treasures.
Botanical Gardens "Orto Botanico dell'Università di Siena"
Siena's botanical garden is a great place to relax and enjoy views onto the countryside below.
Sandwiches & Paninis "Gino Cacino di Angelo"
Angelo di Donato creates some of the most delicious panini (sandwiches) in town, offering such hearty combinations as meatballs and pepperoncini or Jerusalem artichoke cream, Taleggio cheese, and fried onion; there's also always at least one vegetarian option available. Since it's a one-man show, expect a wait—but it's worth it for the quality of the ingredients and the care put into the preparations.
Nannini - Café
Locals flock to this central café to quaff a cappuccino and pick up panforte (cake made of fruits and nuts; the chocolate panforte is a real treat) and ricciarelli (almond cookies).
Antica Trattoria Papei
This place, which has been in the Papei family for three generations, attracts both locals and visitors with basic but fine Sienese specialties and reasonable prices. Tucked away behind the Palazzo Pubblico in a square that serves as a parking lot for most of the day, the restaurant's location isn't great, but the food is; thanks to portable heaters, there is outdoor seating all year-round.
Prètto
This one-room prosciutteria, which opens late in the morning and closes late at night, serves salads and sandwiches featuring pork products in their various incarnations. Locals flock here for good reason—portions are large, prices are reasonable, the wine list is strong, the hosts are gregarious, and offerings for those who don't eat meat but do eat fish include the anchovy/sliced potato salad soaked in top-notch olive oil and dotted with capers.