The Piazza del Campo is a wonder of medieval construction in the heart of Siena. With the piazza's unique fishtail design constructed in rust-colored brick and white stone, the square is a result of excellent city planning. The square was built at the point where the original three towns that made up the city of Siena met and every building built around the square had to meet city guidelines so there was a sense of harmony. The brick laid square is divided into nine sections that represent each of the city's 'governo dei nove' or ruling governors. From a height, the sections look like the folds of a cloak believed to represent Mother Mary's cloak, Siena's patron saint. Today, the square hosts the popular bi-annual Palio or horse race that draws in visitors by the thousands waiting to see the majestic spectacle of thundering hooves.
The Museo d’Arte Per Bambini is a children’s art museum housed inside the Santa Maria della Scala complex. Founded in 1998, the museum is dedicated to exposing children to art and culture of all kinds from an early age. It’s a matter of four small rooms with a nice mix of contemporary and antique art set up for children to enjoy, including paintings, photography, sculpture, and video installations. Children can interact with works of art using all five senses, and participate in educational programs designed to encourage their creative sense of play.
Catch the latest Italian and Hollywood flicks on the big screen at the Metropolitan Cinema in Siena. Located in the heart of the city, this movie theater is well-maintained, clean, and comfortable and is a popular weekend hangout for the locals. They also serve snacks, popcorn, and beverages at reasonable prices.
The Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Accademia dei Fisiocritici is a great place to learn about the history of science in Siena. The academy after which the museum is named after was founded in 1691 and was one of the first of its kind in Europe. Visitors can examine a vast collection of terra-cotta models of mushrooms, check out a zoological exhibition of conserved marine mammals collected from the Tuscan coast, and explore an archive of hand-written documents about the history of the academy dating back to the 17th Century.
The Orti dei Tolomei, or the Tolomei 'Vegetable Gardens,' can be accessed from Via P. A. Mattioli. There are benches for a rest, or to stop and enjoy the view of the surrounding valley and hills, the tower, and the basilica. Its location above the city grants the visitor an eyeful.
This tranquil space just a few-minutes-walk from the Piazza del Campo is a hidden gem of a park with a resident restaurant, children’s recreation area, and a medieval orchard that supplies the restaurant with many food products. It’s a lovely garden in a small valley with great views of the Torre del Mangia. Children will love the collection of animals that seem to make the little valley their home, including free-roaming peacocks.
A popular sports club located in the heart of Siena, it is operated by UISP, one of Italy's biggest non-profit organizations. Known for their swimming facilities, the club includes a series of indoor and outdoor pools of varying sizes and depths. The indoor pools are mainly used for conducting classes for children whereas the outdoor pools are open for recreational purposes. For non-swimmers, they offer activities like aqua-walking, aqua-gym and workouts with hydro bikes that provide an overall fitness regime.
With its hilltop location, Sangallo Park Hotel offers panoramic views across Siena and the surrounding Tuscan countryside. Only 1.5 km from Siena Train Station, it features an outdoor pool and free car park. Rooms here are bright and welcoming with wooden floors and air conditioning. They also feature satellite TV and a minibar. Some rooms overlook the garden. A varied buffet breakfast is served each morning. Drinks are available from the bar and reception is open 24-hours a day. Sangallo Park provides free city maps and is 10 minutes' drive from Siena's city walls. A local bus runs during the day.
A popular sports club located in the heart of Siena's bustling business center, Piscina Acquacalda is widely regarded as one of the city's premier swimming facilities. Amenities include two outdoor pools and an Olympic size indoor swimming pool. The outdoor pools are mainly accessed by members of the club, who bring their families along to start off an eventful day with a splash. The indoor pool is mainly reserved for local swimming competitions and classes.
Recipient of the 2015 European Garden Award, Il Bosco della Ragnaia is San Giovanni d'Asso's quiet portal into a clandestine world. Lined with verdant shrubs, the park is covered in a carpet of dried leaves that casts a hauntingly beautiful glow over the place. It looks at its vibrant best during warmer months, while winters beckon you to appreciate the garden's charm through an intense haze. The place is marked with fascinating sculptures, and there are seating spaces peppered across. Water features and interesting stone arrangements add to the garden's charm while kindling your curiosity about its intriguing past.