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.
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.
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.
The quaint town of Monticiano is home to a wellness retreat beckoning locals and tourists alike. Terme di Petriolo are thermal springs that have existed since the 13th Century. Surrounded by pristine wilderness, these springs are man-made pools built besides a peacefully-flowing river. Filled via pipes, the water is rich in minerals with temperatures hovering over 43 degree Celsius (109 degree Fahrenheit). A free site that's worthy of a visit throughout the year, Terme di Petriolo comes most recommended especially during winters.
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.
Located in Siena's southwestern countryside of Orgia stands this rustic old structure. The building was once a family property that was converted into an Ethnographic museum in the year 1993. The museum's sole objective is to spread knowledge about the conservation and protection of forest lands and the ecosystems that lay within it. Exhibits include a variety of wooden utility equipment, photographs, testimonials, and letters. Tours can be arranged by appointment.
SanGimignano1300 is a one of a kind museum dedicated entirely to the life and times of the ancient city of San Gimignano. Set up in 2010, the museum is the culmination of the vision of two master artists, Michelangelo and the renowned Raffaello Rubino. On offer is a beautiful, large and finely detailed miniature reconstruction of medieval San Gimignano, enabling us to view the town as it would have looked like at the height of its maximum splendor. Each of the 800 structures and 72 towers have been diligently recreated and done entirely by hand using natural pigments and terracotta. Storyboards, multi-media exhibits, street scenes, and a ceramic recreation of the city as it existed in 1300, are just a few of the exhibits that make this a must see family event.
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.
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.
Located in Siena's southwestern countryside of Orgia stands this rustic old structure. The building was once a family property that was converted into an Ethnographic museum in the year 1993. The museum's sole objective is to spread knowledge about the conservation and protection of forest lands and the ecosystems that lay within it. Exhibits include a variety of wooden utility equipment, photographs, testimonials, and letters. Tours can be arranged by appointment.
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.