Siena may be of the most intense interest for the lovers of medieval architecture as the historical center of the city remained almost intact since 14 century. The two most interesting sights are in the center of the city. They are the Piazza del Campo with the famous Palazzo Pubblico and the Siena Cathedral also known as the Duomo of Siena. You may also eternally wander along the narrow streets of this medieval city.
Piazza del Campo can be rightly recognized as one of the most beautiful squares in Italy. The square is small but everything looks very harmonious there. It has an incline in the form of a gently sloping amphitheatre, which descends to the Palazzo Pubblico. The Torre del Mangia is towering over the Piazza del Campo.
The Siena Cathedral was built in 13 century but it took several more centuries to finish it. However in our days the cathedral stands in all its glory. The exterior and interior finishing of the Siena Cathedral is so magnificent that this makes it one of the most beautiful cathedrals in Italy.
The central streets of Siena may be considered as a very interesting sight of the city as well. Most of the cobbled streets are only 3-4 meters wide, and high houses make them look as a kind of a maze.
You must ascend onto the two main lookouts of Siena. The Torre del Mangia is one of them. This bell tower is rising above the Piazza del Campo. From the bell tower you can have a wonderful view of the Siena Cathedral, as well as the historical part of the city. The Piazza del Campo is at the foot of the bell tower.
The second lookout is on the wall of the New Cathedral of Siena. In 14 century the citizens of Siena wanted to erect a new grandiose cathedral. It was intended to be the largest cathedral in Italy or even in Europe. But in 1348 about 4/5 of citizens died of plague. As a result, the construction of the cathedral was stopped. Now only a giant wall with arches reminds of the cathedral. On the wall a lookout was created. From this point you can have a splendid view of the Piazza del Campo and the Old Town.
