Siena, Historic Centre

The centre of social life in Sienna revolves round the magnificent Piazza del Campo. This shell-shaped piazza dates back to mediaeval times. Strategically located around the Piazza are historical buildings like the Palazzo Sansedoni (XIII – XIV century) whereas the Fonte Gaia is in the centre. This fountain was built over a ten-year period between 1409 and 1419 although the fountain we see today is a 19th century reproduction of the original by Jacopo della Quercia. The fountain was named “Gaia” in commemoration of the festivities that took place on completion of the works. The Palazzo Pubblico was built between 1297 and 1342 and provides a magnificent backdrop to the Piazza. It represents one of the largest Gothic-style works in Tuscany with the centre section being taller than that built for the “Council of Nine” towards the end of the 14th century. All the arches bear the Sienna coat of arms. The stone and brick facade bears two rows of windows with three lights and is the symbol of Saint Bernard. The 102 metre (335 feet) Torre del Mangia that dates back to 1348, stands alongside the Palazzo. It is a redbrick monument with a shrine at its highest point. The Cappella di Piazza, built between 1352 and 1376 sits at the feet of the tower. Built with a loggia layout, it was finished off in Renaissance style in the late 1400’s. To the right of the Cappella entrance lies the entrance arcade to the Cortile del Podestà lined by pillars and overlooked by magnificent windows with three lights. On the left is the staircase with its 503 steps leading all the way up to the top of the tower.
The courtyard offers access to the Museo Civico, home to the Sala del Risorgimento that houses frescoes depicting the life of Vittorio Emanuele and date back to the late 1800’s. See also the Sala di Balia or dei Priori with frescoes dedicated to Alessandro III and works by Martino di Bartolomeo and Spinello. Beyond this is the Sala dei Cardinali and then the Sala del Concistoro. Following this is the Anticappella, decorated with frescoes by Taddeo di Bartolo and the Cappella. The next visit is to the Sala del Mappamondo that is the largest area in the Palazzo and houses the magnificent “la Maestà” by Simone Martini. It was started in 1312 and is faced by Guidoriccio da Fogliano from 1328 on the opposite wall. Under this work, in 1529 Sodoma painted San Vittore and Sant’Ansano, two of Sienna’s patron saints. On the upper part of the wall facing the window are works by Lippo Vanni (La battaglia della Val di Chiana, from 1363) and by Giovanni di Cristofano Ghini and Francesco d’Andrea (La battaglia del Poggio Imperiale); Beneath these are some of the more important Siennese saints: Beato Bernardo Tolomeo by Sodoma, San Bernardino by Sano di Pietro and Santa Caterina by Vecchietta.
Access to the Sala della Pace is on the right and this was the onetime seat of city government. There is a wonderful series of allegorical frescoes by Lorenzetti: “Allegoria del Buon Governo”, from 1338/40, and “Effetti del Buon Governo in Città e in Campagna”, that illustrate the positive effects of Governo dei Nove (government by the Council of Nine). The Effetti del Mal Governo (the effects of bad government) on the other hand is found on the opposite wall.
Facing the Sala della Pace is the Sala dei Pilastri housing Siennese paintings from the 1300 and 1400’s. The Loggia is on the second floor and overlooks the South side of the city through four large arcades where the original Fonte Gaia by Jacopo della Quercia is stored.
In front of the 14th century Palazzo dell’Università is the Palazzo Piccolomini inspired by the Palazzo Rucellai. Work began on it in 1469 and it is believed to be by Rossellino. The palazzo has been home to the Archivio di Stato since 1855 and houses and exhibits important historical documents that are on display in four rooms. The Tavolette di biccherna collection is also fascinating with the covers of public registers illustrated by Siennese artists. The works commissioned over a long time span between 1258 and 1682 are by artists of the calibre of Domenico Beccafumi, Francesco di Giorgio Martini, Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti.
One of the liveliest parts of the city is known as the Croce del Travaglio, where the Gothic-style Renaissance Loggia della Mercanzia sits. The facade is arched with pillars adorned with little statues of saints. They are the works of Federighi and Vecchietta. The city’s three main arterial roads start here. Via di Città, Banchi di Sotto and Banchi di Sopra.
The Duomo, that is central to the piazza, apart from being the biggest civic building, is without doubt one of the most beautiful Gothic creations in Italy. Building on it began in 1229 and was only concluded at the end of the following century. Between 1258 and 1285, supervision of the work was entrusted to two Cistercian monks called Nicola and Giovanni Pisano. The facade and apse were completed between 1376 and 1382. The Romanesque/Gothic facade was adorned with numerous statues by Pisano that have now been replaced by reproductions. The upper area begun by Giovanni di Cecco, is in an ornate Gothic style. Inside, there is a fascinating 15th/16th century cornice bearing 171 terracotta busts of Popes who gaze down from between the arches. There are 56 floor panels in marquetry or painting that depict religious scenes. The Federighi holy water fonts in the median nave are exquisite. Well worth noting is the Piccolomini altar with its Michelangelo statue and the Libreria Piccolomini built in 1492 at the request of Cardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini. The Marrina decoration and Pinturicchio frescoes are sublime.

The transept opens on to the Cappella della Madonna del Voto and the Cappella di S. Giovanni Battista, the Presbiterio with the well-known Pergamo di Pisano alongside and the Sagrestia adorned with frescoes from the early 1400’s. Beneath the cathedral apse is the Battistero that was built between 1316 and 1325 and features a Gothic facade. Frescoes by various artists adorn the inside of the baptistery and the Fonte battesimale (baptismal font) by Iacopo della Quercia, is a masterpiece of Etruscan sculpture of this period.

History, art and culture

Siena was founded by the Etruscans and was a Roman colony at the time of the Emperor Augustus. In Mediaeval times with the Lombards and the Franks, the city began to exercise a certain degree of power. When the last of the Carolingians disappeared towards the end of the 900’s, a power struggle between the clergy and Frankish counts began. Towards the end of the 11th century, the fief was awarded to the clergy by the German emperors. The growing number of middle classes however, who were insisting on their rights, created a conflict of economic interests and this situation led to the weakening and eventual breaking up of feudalism and the formation of free communes.
The period when Sienna was at her zenith was between the 12th and 16th centuries.
During the feuds between the Guelfs and the Ghibellines, the Siennese made a choice based on economics and backed the Ghibellines against the redoubtful Florence. Wealthy businessmen and craftsmen set up a government entrusted to 24 citizens and thus was formed the “Council of Twenty-Four” that brought the city to its full splendour.
Not long after this, tension with Florence led to a new war that saw Sienna defeated. A truce was imposed in 1255 but five years later, Florence was again preparing to destroy Sienna.
The Siennese turned for help to the Swabian king, Manfred who sent his army to assist them. Other groups also came to their aid like the Ghibellines who had fled from Florence and troops sent from Cortona, Lucca and Pisa. The war took place in 1260 and Florence lost.
Sienna, the Ghibelline stronghold, was excommunicated along with all its citizens. Using this as an excuse, many refused to pay debts owed to Siennese businessmen and this led to the collapse of the economy. In 1269, the Colle di Val d’Elsa, with the help of Tuscan Guelfs and Angevine militia declared war upon Sienna and vanquished her. The exiled Guelfs returned to Sienna and abolished the “Council of Twenty-Four” replacing it with their own government. This was the beginning of the “Council of Nine” that rued from 1287 to 1355. This was one of the most peaceful periods in the city’s history and also saw a healthy economic and cultural revival. Thanks to this newfound wealth and tranquillity, many new buildings like the Cathedral, the Baptistery, the Churches of St Francis and St Domenic were built along with the Palazzo Pubblico. Some of the works of this period were by such illustrious artists as Simone Martini, the Lorenzettis, Duccio and many others.
In the near future however, Sienna suffered a myriad of problems. The Buonsignori bank collapsed ruining many families and put the economy in jeopardy. Also to be taken into account was the famine of 1326 and the plague in 1349 that claimed thousands of victims. As if this weren’t enough, discontent among the two social classes excluded from government, the nobles and the working classes, was ever-increasing. In 1355 there was a revolt against the Council of Nine and a government of twelve commoners assisted by a group of twelve nobles was established. Some years later, the city came under the control of the Medici family and later again under the Lorenas.

UNESCO INSCRIPTION

The Committee decided to inscribe the property on the basis of criteria (i), (ii) and (iv)
Considering that Sienna is an outstanding medieval city that has preserved its character and quality. The city is a work of dedication and imagination in which the buildings have been designed to fit into the overall planned urban fabric, and also to form a whole with the surrounding cultural landscape.