The Most Beautiful Buildings In Siena Italy

Siena is one of the most well preserved Medieval cities in Italy. South of Florence, it’s famous for its brick buildings, cuisine, art, museums and the Palio, a horse race held twice a year. The historic city centre is a Unesco World Heritage site and has plenty of wonderful spots to see, but these are undoubtedly the most beautiful buildings in Siena.

Want to visit Siena? You can do so as part of a small group of culturally curious travellers by joining Culture Trip’s immersive 10-day Northern Italy trip.

1. Duomo of Siena

Church

The cathedral dedicated to the Assumption of Mary is one of the most beautiful buildings in Siena and Italy. This gothic-style church, built in the 13th century, is one of the most important historic monuments in the city, and although its facade is simply stunning, the best part is inside. There are too many artistic highlights in the cathedral to list here, including numerous frescos, paintings and sculptures by excellent artists such as Donatello, Ghiberti and Pinturicchio, but the most famous masterpiece is the inlaid floor realised with coloured marble mosaics. A short distance from the Duomo is the Baptistery of St John, another beautiful gothic-style landmark. Included in the complex is an interesting art museum that showcases artworks and architectural fragments that used to be a part of the cathedral.

2. Museo Civico

Museum

The Museo Civico (Civic Museum) is the most famous museum in Siena; it sits inside the Public Palace and is home to an amazing collection of Medieval and Renaissance art, paintings, frescoes and artefacts. Its Sala dei Nove, Hall of the Nine, is home to The Allegory of Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. This huge fresco covers three walls of the room, and in essence, it shows how the city could be if it was governed by the right governance (the good one) or the opposite (the bad one). Another spectacular fresco is Simone Martini’s Maestà in the Sala del Mappamondo, World Map Room. If you are an art lover, you’ll adore these fine paintings.

4. Basilica of San Domenico

Architectural Landmark

This marvellous church was originally built during the 13th century, enlarged in the 14th century and destroyed and rebuilt several times in the following years. Today, it’s one of the most beautiful buildings in Siena, sitting on top of a hill. It displays artworks by Tuscan artists and has several relics of Saint Catherine of Siena – one of the two patron saints of Italy, along with Francis of Assisi; her family house is also nearby. That’s why the church is also known as Basilica Cateriniana.

5. Sanctuary and House of Saint Catherine

Church

The native home of Santa Catherine of Siena was transformed into a sanctuary in 1464, and today, it’s one of the most important sights in the city. Its beautiful Portico dei Comuni was created two years after Catherine was proclaimed as the patroness of Italy, in 1939. The religious complex comprises the Church of the Crucifix, two oratories, a small cloister, the Church of Saint Catherine in Fontebranda and her house, which has paintings representing events from her life.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.