Siena (03:09)

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Siena developed into a city in the 7th century and grew into a rival of Florence by the Renaissance. The seashell-shaped city square was built in 1293 and includes a marble fountain made by Jacopo Della Quercia.

La Torre dei Mangia (02:13)

The tower was built in 1342 entirely out of bricks and is the highest in Italy. It stands above the Siena city hall, which was built in the Gothic style of the 14th century. It includes a museum about the city, including frescoes from prominent artists.

Palazzo Satta Chinni (01:54)

Many buildings in Siena, like the Palazzo Satta Chinni built in the 12th century, follow of curvature of the narrow streets. The building was renovated in Renaissance style by a wealthy family in 16th century.

Bijidy Palace (02:17)

The Gothic-style palace from the 14th century is home to Siena's painting museum. It includes religious paintings from the Middle Ages through the Renaissance that show the development of artistic styles.

Loggia dellla Mercanzia (02:12)

The Loggia della Mercanzia was the headquarters for the merchants of Siena and shows the transition from Gothic to Renaissance architecture. Sculptures of patron saints of Siena adorn the building's exterior.

Piazza Tolomei (02:16)

The square in the historic center of Siena features an ancient statue depicting the city's creation. Palazzo Tolomei is the oldest private residence in the city and is built in the Gothic style. The San Cristoforo church was built in the 12th century but was partially rebuilt in a neoclassical style in the 18th century.

Piazza Salimbeni (00:54)

The historic square is surrounded by three palaces, including Salimbeni that houses the world's oldest active bank. A statue of Count Salistio Bandine, the priest who helped found the bank, stands in the square.

Basilica of San Francesco (01:09)

The church was built at the end of the 13th century by the Franciscans. It began as a Romanesque building but was expanded using a Gothic style.

Basilica of San Domenico (03:08)

The massive brick church was built in the 13th century. The chapel for St. Catherine is heavily decorated with frescoes and has a marble alter. St. Catherine was born in Siena and her birth place is now a monument.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Assumption (09:29)

The cathedral, known as the Duomo because of its dome, sits in Siena's historic old town. It was built between 1136 and 1382 out of white, black, and red marble and stones. It is built in French Gothic, Tuscan Romanesque, and Classical styles.

Cathedral Library (04:11)

The Duomo library is only accessible through elaborately decorated interior doors. The ceiling is decorated with religious and mythological scenes. The library includes frescoes of important religious and political events connected to Siena.

San Giovanni Baptistery (05:39)

Located inside the cathedral, the baptistery has fonts made from marble, bronze, and enamel in the 15th century. The sculpted panels show stories from the Bible. Frescoes depict Jesus' baptism and scenes from the life of John the Baptist.

St. John the Baptist Chapel (04:11)

Underneath the cathedral's dome, there is a chapel dedicated to John the Baptist. It is elegantly decorated with stucco and contains several statues and frescoes. Raphael and Donatello worked on pieces in the chapel.

Madonna del Voto Chapel (01:14)

The chapel was added to the cathedral in the 17th century. It was designed and sculpted by Bernini.

San Gimignano (04:37)

The city of San Gimignano in Tuscany still has its walls and battlements from the 13th and 14th centuries. It was founded in the 10th century and grew throughout the Middle Ages because of its location on a pilgrimage path to Rome. Many noble families built towers atop their homes.

Credits: Siena - Treasures of the Italian Renaissance (02:14)

Credits: Siena - Treasures of the Italian Renaissance