Province of Siena

The province of Siena charms all who visit. It extends over the southern portion of the Tuscany region, situated between the Arno River Valley and the Valdi Chiana, and stretches as far as the Orcia river valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The capital of the province

Siena city is one of the nation's most visited tourist destinations, as well as being one of the most gorgeous ancient cities in Italy, which combines elements of Gothic and Romanesque styles. Architecturally speaking, Siena is a complete medieval town in Europe. It is famous for its cuisine, art, museums and the Palio, a thrilling horse race held twice a year. 

Proud Sienese

Siena was a prosperous and powerful city-state in the 13th and 14th centuries. The locals were noted for their independence and pride; they frequently resisted papal and Florentine domination. Since then, Siena has remained isolated from the rest of Italy. The local dialect is still in preference to Italian. The Sienese are very proud of their province, its history, culture and traditions. They love to talk about their cities and past, and they do it with great pride. The Sienese enthusiastically recount the stories and legends of the city, especially the Palio, with a unique passion.

Taste Siena

In the Siena province, the cuisine is quite traditional and authentic. The dishes are based on typical products of the area and prepared with great simplicity and genuineness. The main ingredients are usually olive oil, onions, garlic and tomatoes. The Sienese cookery is known for its wide variety of soups, first courses and meat of all kinds. The most famous dish is "pici": a pasta made with flour and water that looks like thick spaghetti. It's ideal with tomato sauce or meat sauce. If you'd like the dessert – it's definitely panforte: a sweet made with honey, candied fruits, almonds and spices.