Siena and San Gimignano

This tour will propel you back to the glorious medieval past of Tuscany. As soon as we reach Siena, we will find ourselves in front of a breathtaking spectacle: the church of San Domenico, also known as the “Catherinian” church, as it conserves the remains of the patron saint of Italy; from here, we will also be able to see the majestic Duomo and the elegant bell tower. We will set off for a tour in the narrow and winding medieval streets of the city, which will lead us to piazza del Duomo, where we will admire the Gothic façade of the masterpiece Cathedral built by Giovanni Pisano. In front of the Cathedral is the Santa Maria della Scala Hospital, which in the Middle Ages served as a haven for pilgrims, elderly and sick citizens, a peak of medieval civilization in which beauty and charity were inextricably linked. We will next proceed to piazza del Campo, the location of the well-known Palio that takes place twice each year and – despite attracting spectators from all over the globe – represents an absolutely private moment for the Senese population. So you are welcome to attend, but only if you respect all the local traditions! Piazza del Campo, with its fan shape and incredible urban design unity that has remained intact over the centuries, is dominated by the Palazzo Pubblico, glorious headquarters of the political life of the city. Inside the Palazzo, we can observe the elegant Maestà by Simone Martini, and the so-called “Good governance” frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, unrivalled examples of civil paintings which still today invite the powerful to focus on shared well-being.

In the afternoon we will travel to San Gimignano, a perfectly conserved medieval town. Just like travellers from the Middle Ages, we will enter the town walls and walk into the piazza della Cisterna, where we will stop to admire its magnificent towers before moving towards piazza della Collegiata. Here, similarly to pilgrims, we shall access the Duomo, with its splendid medieval and Renaissance frescoes; we will then go even higher, towards the remains of the local fortress where we will enjoy a breathtaking view of the surrounding countryside. Finally, we shall make our way to the Church of Sant’Agostino where, behind the altar, we can admire a fresco cycle depicting the life of Saint Augustine by one of the best known painters of the early Renaissance: Benozzo Gozzoli.