Siena was a powerful Medieval city, and most of its architectural gems were built in the fourteenth century. The Black Death and frequent clashes with nearby Florence decimated its strength, and in 1559, Siena was annexed by the grand duchy of Tuscany.

Piazza del Campo

Siena's main city square, Piazza del Campo, is its political center. Dominated by the Palazzo Pubblico, the town hall, the piazza is a good place to start a tour of the city. The square itself is shaped like a fan and is divided into nine slats, representing the nine magistrates who presided over Siena at the height of its power.

The Museo Civico in the Palazzo Pubblico and the adjoining bell tower, the Torre del Mangia, are open to the public. Most of the town hall dates back to the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries, but additions in the seventeenth century enlarged it. The Torre del Mangia was completed just before the plague devastated Siena in 1348.

The museum is open daily from November through mid-March from 10 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. and from mid-March through October from 10 A.M. to 7 P.M. Tickets are 10 for a combination ticket that includes the Torre del Mangia. Visit www.comunie.siena.it for more information.

Duomo

Siena's Gothic cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful in Italy, thanks to its distinctive dark-and-light-striped interior. It was built in the thirteenth century when Siena was a dominant city, but an ambitious expansion project had to be abandoned after the plague of 1348. The entire cathedral is a work of art. Frescoes adorn the walls, and even the floors are decorated with marble panels that show scenes from classical mythology and the Old Testament. Observe the dress code — covered shoulders and knees.

The cathedral is open to the public from March 1 through May 31 and September 1 through November 1 from 10:30 A.M. to 7:30 P.M. Monday through Saturday and 1:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. on Sundays and holidays. From November 2 through February 28, it is open 10:30 A.M. to 6:30 P.M. from Monday through Saturday and 1:30 P.M. to 5:30 P.M. on Sundays and holidays. From June 1 to August 31, it is open 10:30 A.M. to 8 P.M. Monday through Saturday and 1:30 P.M. to 6 P.M. on Sundays and holidays. Admission to the cathedral is 3. Visit www.operaduomo.siena.il for more information.

The adjoining Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana contains additional artifacts and works of art. It is open March 1 through May 31 and September 1 through November 1 from 9:30 A.M. to 7 P.M. From June 1 through August 31, it is open from 9:30 A.M. to 8 P.M. From November 2 through February 28, it is open from 10 A.M. to 5 P.M. Admission is 6.

The Palio

The Palio has been a point of pride for the Sienese since the thirteenth century. Held twice a year, on July 2 and August 16, the Palio is a no-holds-barred horse race in Piazza del Campo. Ten horses, representing ten of the city's seventeen contrade, or districts, race three times around the square. (Seven of the contrade must sit out each race.) The horse that crosses the finish line first wins — regardless of whether its jockey managed to hang on for the entire ride. Grabbing the reins of another jockey's horse is forbidden, but everything else is fair game in the highly competitive race. Thousands of spectators pack themselves into the square to witness the event, while hundreds of others buy seats on temporary bleachers set up around the perimeter of the track.

The race is a unique spectacle for tourists, but the true celebrants are the Sienese. Raucous celebrations spread throughout the city, the most exuberant taking place in the winning contrada. For a tourist, the Palio is a magical time to visit the city. Each contrada displays its colors, and on the afternoon of the Palio, processions of men in Medieval garb wind through the city streets. The highlight is the skilled flag-bearers and their entertaining routines.