SIENA

In the heart of Tuscany between the Chianti hills, lies a jewel of Gothic architecture, known by many as the unofficial capital of Tuscany: Siena. The centre of the city, extending over three ridges, is the picturesque, shell-shaped Piazza del Campo. Built on the highest point of the city the cathedral "Santa Maria" has a façade combining both Roman and Gothic style elements. A special attraction is the Palio di Siena. It is one of the toughest races in the world and is held twice a year, on the 2nd of July and the 16th of August, on the Piazza del Campo. To this end, the outer ring of the piazza is covered with a special coating of tuff and sand. Seventeen teams, representing the Siena city districts - known in Italy as "Contrada”, race each other. Horse and rider are decorated with corresponding colours and coat of arms. The horses are ridden bareback three times around the square, for which the riders rarely need more than 100 seconds. This traditional race, which was already held in the Middle Ages, is less about victory but more about preventing a rival "Contrada". The winning horse is blessed in one of the churches and celebrated for several weeks.

MONTERIGGIONI

The small citadel of Monteriggioni has changed little since the Middle Ages. For a long time the highly embattled fortress, immortalized by Dante Alighieri in the 12th Century in his "Divine Comedy”, was impregnable. Even today the city is surrounded by a wall, and life is played out in the small winding streets.

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