Siena, my hometown, not as crowded as Florence, is full of treasures I can’t wait to show you. Granted, being a tour guide, this is my job; but it will also be a pleasure for me showing you around. I suggest a variety of Siena tours. If this is your first time in Siena, I can lead you on a classic tour of the city, including not only the best-known spots (Piazza del Campo, Town Hall, and the Cathedral), but also places from which you can enjoy scenic views of the city (from the Servi Basilica, San Domenico, or the public gardens Orto dei Pecci and Orto dei Tolomei).
If, on the other hand, you are already familiar with the basics and you are ready for something different, I offer thematic itineraries: Siena and her women; Siena and the cult of the Virgin Mary; Siena and her city gates; Siena and her fountains. We will walk through medieval alleys that end up in unexpected squares and hidden secondary streets that are neglected in most tours.
On request, we can also visit a Contrada, its headquarters, church and museum. In fact, some Palio banners have been painted by internationally known artists, such as Botero and Guttuso, and can be admired only in the those museums. Finally, if you are interested in painting and sculpture, I can lead you through the Pinacoteca, the Cathedral Works Museum, and the Civic Museum, where you will admire the works of the Sienese masters Simone Martini and Ambrogio Lorenzetti, and those of Raphael, Donatello and Michelangelo. We will also visit one of the oldest hospitals in the world, Santa Maria della Scala, with its rich collection of frescoes and its intriguing archaeological site. Finally, if you want to know more about the city in the Middle Ages, I will take you to the State Archives where the history of Siena is vividly illustrated on the covers of the renowned Biccherne (record books).
