|  Inhabitants in 1991: 56.956
 The
municipal territory of Siena extends or 118,71 square kilometres on the
central heights of the Toscano high plains, between the valley formed
by the river Arbia and the river Elsa. The city of Siena probably had
origins as a Roman military colony, but its importance as an urban
centre is from the Longobardi era; around the year one thousand it
was subdivided into three originating nuclei of Castelvecchio, Castel
Montone and Castello del Poggio Malavolti (and in fact was indicated with
the plural name of Senae) which successively were the origins of the allocations
of the “tersieri” (thirds) City, San Martino and Camollia.
A free community of great importance in the Late Middle Ages. With
the Leopoldina reforms of 1777 the communal territory of Siena was subdivided
into three distinct communities: Siena (limited to little more than that
inside the urban walls), and the two suburban communities of Masse di
Città and Masse di San Martino; in 1869 the community of Masse
di Siena was constituted, formed by the suppressed municipalities of Masse
di Città and Masse di San Martino; in 1876 Siena incorporated a
portion of the municipality of Masse, which in 1904 was suppressed and
its remaining territory aggregated definitively to the municipality of
Siena.
Probably inhabited from the Etruscan era, then a “civitas romana”,
made Christian from the end of the IV century and in the following one
became Episcopal Seat, it was with the Longobarda domination that
there was the first notable development of the city, when in 678
it was governed by a royal steward and, to prove its important growth,
opened a dispute which lasted for centuries with Arezzo
receiving larger diocesan limits (tending evidently to make their political
and religious limits coincide). The news regarding the urban nucleus in
this period is very scarse, but the surrounding walls probably enclosed
the Cathedral and the fortified centre later called the Castelvecchio.
The Franchi Counts took over from the Longobardi functionaries in the
IX century, but in the Carolingian period and post Carolingian, even if
the city continued to function in the Ecclesiastic ambient they were not
able to impose themselves as a strong kingpin territory in the civil ambient.
In the countryside the economic and political life however was then organised
around the castles and the Lordly power, who tended to substitute the
royal representatives and that of the citizens in exercising the judicial,
military and fiscal rights. From the end of the X century the potentiality
of the Via Francigena, principle road connecting Rome and the north,
sowed the seeds for a rapid development for Siena. Along the Francigena,
which crossed the city, the hamlets began to grow up in the XI century,
like that of Camollia, gradually inserted within the encircling city walls.
The first notice of the organisation of Siena into a Consul municipality
goes back to the years between 1125 and 1130 and during the same century
there began a phase of expansion for the city (in the ambient of
which an object of prime importance was reached in 1137 with the acquisition
of half of the silver mines of Montieri), marked by the imposing of its
sovereignty on numerous castles or with friendship or alliance
pacts; this opposing politics in the territory to the north by Firenze,
with which they reached the armed conflict between 1141 and 1158.
An official ratification of their expansionistic successes was sought
by Siena from Emperor Federico I, to whom they remained faithful in the
years of the anti Imperial leagues (taking advantage of this to depose
the Bishop of his temporary power in 1167); this however cost renewal
of the hostility with Firenze, from which they emerged with a new
peace accord in 1176 which caused the loss of the half of Poggibonsi and
an unfavourable definition of the Chianti borders. Nevertheless, Siena
managed to obtain new declarations of sovereignty in its territory and
grew from an institutional and economic point of view. In 1181 the
right to mint coin was given to them, an indication of the strengthening
of the exchange and the intensification of commercial operations. All
of this corresponded to an urban growth and a strong immigration
increase. At the beginning of the XIII century the contrasts
for power began to emerge, there were, on the one side the old management
classes, that is the aristocracy consuls of the committee families or
citizens, and on the other the arts people, and merchants who were emerging
and hopeful for the management of the public things. The whole of the
century is characterised by the internal political events, by the struggles
of the Siena population to reduce the political power of the “great”,
struggles which however did not at all compromise the civil and economic
development of Siena, which among other things in 1240 inaugurated
its University. In 1277 the proclamation of the so called “Peoples
Statute”, with which the magnates were deprived of the right to
occupy posts in the municipal government and sanctioned the juristic formulation
of the victorious people. Loyal to the Imperial party, Siena had become
by the middle of the XIII century the most important Ghibellina city
of the internal Toscana, and in coalition with other pro Sveva family
forces they managed in 1260 at Montaperti to inflict a hard defeat on
their rivals Firenze. After the battle of Benevento (1266) and the ascending
to the Sicilian throne of the Angioina lineage, the Toscane Guelfi retook
predominance marked by the victory of Colle Val d’Elsa (1269) over
the Siena troops. The arguments among the internal districts were calmed
and in 1287 the government called “of the Nine”
took power, constituted by members of the most conspicuous popular Guelfa
families, destined to last in its rigid oligarchy form until 1355.
It was between the 1200s and early 1300 that Siena matured its transformation
into Mercantile centre and Manufacturer of great importance. The
economic development is underlined by the intense urban activity:
a new extensive surrounding wall was programmed in 1326; the Palazzo
Pubblico on of the highest examples of Toscana Gothic, was started in
1288; the ambitious project of the construction of a new Cathedral,
later interrupted, was conceived in those years; several of the most significant
buildings were built between the 1200s and 1300s, like the Palace of the
Captain of Justice, and those of the Chigi-Saracini, the Sansedoni, the
Salimbeni, and the Tolomei. The plague epidemics which followed in
the second half of the 1300s starting from the most serious in 1348, interrupted
the fervour of this activity. The population was reduced by almost
two thirds, while the countryside was devastated by the raids of the mercenary
troops, Siena found itself also facing years of grave grain crisis and
growing social tension. In 1371 when the fight for power was at its most
fierce between the oligarchy of the rich people (the Noveschi), the new
forces of the middle classes (the Dodicini) and the great magnate families,
never definitively subdued, there was one of the first rebellions of the
working classes in the Medieval, the Bruco uprising, quickly brought
into line by a bloody repression.
Almost at the end of the 1300s, while the territorial expansion of Firenze
came closer to the interests of Siena, the latter sought protection in
the short lived Lordship of Gian Galeazzo Visconti (1399-1404). Subsequently
constituted Governor dei Dieci, Siena made peace with Firenze furbishing
help in 1410 against the King of Napoli and obtaining from this alliance
the notable advantage of reacquisition of several Ports and the Maremma.
In the course of the XV century the city became Archbishop’ Seat
thanks to the Siena Pope Pio II Piccolomini. New disorders and
political contrasts disturbed the city’s life with six changes of
political regime between 1464 and 1487, the year in which Pandolfo Petrucci,
head of the exiled Noveschi made himself Lord of Siena forming a government
in which all the political components had to be represented. His family
remained in power until 1523. In 1530 the Imperial troops of Carlo
V occupied the city, and a government was recreated which expressed
the interest of the great merchants, but in 1552 the occupying Spanish
were forced to get out, while Siena allied with France and with the exiled
anti-Medicea Fiorentini led by Piero Strozzi. Besieged in 1554 the
city surrendered only one year later. The armed resistance however
continued, trusted to the government in exile at Montalcino, where a quantity
of Siena families had gathered, until the definitive surrender in 1559.
Siena became part of the Mediceo State with autonomous administration
directed by a governor. In a subordinate position with respect to
the capital, the city it went through a long period of decadence with
the Medici (in 1749 the population was reduced to less than 15,000
inhabitants), from which it partially recovered under the Lorena,
who gave a notable push to agriculture and commerce. Perhaps this is why
Siena did not participate in the rebellions against the Leopoldina reforms,
but even accepted the occupation by the French in 1799 in good faith,
believing in the innovative new waves brought by this enlightenment from
the other side of the Alps: and in fact some initiative provision was
tried, above all in the administrative and cultural area, but in the end
Siena found itself complaining regards the spoiling of the museums and
archives and because of heavy taxation. With the Lorenese dynasty restored,
Siena participated with particular momentum in the liberal rebellions
of 1831 and even more so in the Risorgimento mobilisation of 1847-48:
In 1859 Siena was the first Toscana City to vote for annexation
to the realm of Italy, with such a large majority to make it seem
that other than Italian sentiment there was also the old desire to liberate
themselves in some way from the dominant Fiorentini. The national unity
brought new thrusts to the economy and the life of the city, thanks also
to the installation of a railway line with the greater opportunity
to reach new markets for the agricultural and industrial products from
Siena.
In the following decade, in particular the period between the two wars,
the cultural role of the city was re-enforced with the foundation of various
worthy institutes and the important growth of the Universita. During
the last war, Siena, who gave a valiant contribution to the partisan
struggle, suffered for the occupation and reprisals, it had among
other things the good fortune to maintain its city centre practically
intact from war destruction and was liberated by the allied troops on
13 July 1944. In the post war period the city was administered uninterruptedly
by the Left party, who had a particularly high electoral consensus. To
overcome negative situations, like the unstoppable crisis which
started in the 50s with the agricultural sharecropping which had characterised
its countryside for centuries, and in the last twenty years a constant
demographic inclination determined by a series of causes, Siena today
is considered a model city not only for its singular urban harmony
and the architectural beauty which qualifies it, but also for the social
climate which is breathed in this urban centre by the man measured
dimension, capable of maintaining many centuries old traditions alive
and permeated with a factious solidarity which manages to give identity
and heart-warming certainty.
Among the illustrious persons born in Siena are: Santa Caterina
(1347-1380), Pope Alessandro III (c.1110.-1181), the blessed
Giovanni Colombini (1304-1367); artitìsts Duccio di Boninsegna
(c.1255.-1344), Simone Martini (1284-1344), Ambrogio e Pietro
Lorenzetti (both died presumably in 1348), Francesco di Giorgio
Martini (1439-1502); poets Cecco Angiolieri (c.1260.-1310)
and Bindo Bonichi (c.1260.-1338), writer Gentile Sermini
(XV cen.), the reformist theologians Bernardino Ochino (1487-1565),
Lelio and Fausto Sozzini (1525-1562 and 1539-1604), man
of letters Pietro Fortini (1500-1562), writers and playwrights
Alessandro Piccolomini (1508-1578), Girolamo Gigli
(1660-1722) and Iacopo Angelo Nelli (1673-1763), economist and
statesman Sallustio Bandini (1677-1760), writer Federigo Tozzi
(1883-1920), historian Armando Sapori (1891-1976).
 Siena is an elegant city, for which much credit must go to the
city authorities in the medieval period who were particularly attentive
to the aesthetics of the urban plan.
Modern-day Siena is one of the most liveable cities in Italy.
It is a centre for cultural and research activities, and is visited every
year by thousands of tourists drawn by its rich historical heritage and
the delights of Sienese cuisine. These include the legendary pici,
a large hand-made form of spaghetti eaten with rabbit or wild boar sauce,
or simply with a hot garlic and tomato one. Then there are the excellent
chicken or pork scottiglie, plus cheeses and vegetables from the
surrounding countryside, where internationally-known wines are
also produced. Finally, there are the city's famous sweets: ricciarelli,
panforte, and panpepato, made from ancient recipes and flavoured
with spices that take us back in time to Renaissance cuisine.
| Places to visit:
Piazza del Campo: theatre of the famous Palio
surrounded by 16 palaces and dominated by the Palazzo
Pubblico it was cited for the first time in a document of
1169; its current configuration is that of the 1300s when both the
piazza and the palaces which face onto it were remodelled and put
in order. The most important, the Palazzo Pubblico was derived
from the adaptation of the customs house in 1284; it was enlarged
around 1295 and again in 1327, and later with the annexation of
the prison. In 1500 the great Council Chamber was transformed into
a theatre. On the left of the Palazzo Pubblico the Torre del
Mangia was abutted around 1340, symbol of the municipal authority,
which took the name of he who in that time sounded the hours. The
first stones placed for its construction were sculpted with Hebrew,
Greek and Latin letters so that the Tower “should not be hit
by a thunder bolt or a storm” At the foot of the Torre del
Mangia is the Cappella di Piazza, constructed by Giovanni
de Cecco on the design of Domenico di Agostino, in 1465 Antonio
Federighi made some modifications to it. The Palazzo Pubblico hosts
the Civic Museum, which boasts precious frescoes and paintings
on wood by famous artists from 1300 to 1500. Palazzo Marsili
Libelli, 1400s construction has the coat of arms of the Piccolomini
on its façade. It is now the Seat of the Superintendency
of the Architectural and Ecological assets, Palazzo del Capitano
del Popolo, in 1200s Gothic style was remodelled in 1800 and
is now the Faculty of Science, Economy and Banking; Palazzo di
San Galgano, from 1474 ordered by the same name Abbey; Palazzo
Piccolomini in via Banchi di Sotto, from 1470 main residence
of that extremely powerful family, it was designed by Bernardo Rossellino
and reminds one of the form of Palazzo Rucellai in Firenze. Today
Palazzo Piccolomini is Seat of the State Archive.
Palazzo Tolomei, of the same name piazza it is the oldest
palace destined only as a private residence, it already existed
in 1200, and was remodelled during the middle of that century.
Palazzo Salimbeni, from XIII-XIV century restored in 1800
and from 1866 Seat of Monte dei Paschi di Siena (Bank).
National Picture Gallery, in the Gothic Palazzo Buonsignori,
formed by an outstanding collection which comprises all the Siena
art. Among others, are exhibited the masterpieces of Duccio da Buoninsegna,
Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Pinturicchio.
The Cathedral dell’Assunta, in Romanic-Gothic style
it was constructed between the XII and XIII centuries. Pope Alessandro
III from Siena consecrated the Cathedral on 18 November 1179. The
work progressed until 1339 when it was decided to erect, adjacent
to the preceding one, a new construction, very lavish, done to compete
with the Firenze Cathedral. Successively, for reasons of the plague
which had brought the city to its knees, the new project was abandoned,
and the work was reopened to complete the Cathedral. The structure
of the Cathedral is not perfect in that the initial project had
numerous interruptions and diverse people in charge of the construction,
however, it is considered to be one of the most beautiful Medieval
churches in Italy. Its interior is rich with works of art exercised
by more than 40 artists, among whom Pinturicchio, Urbano da Cortona,
Antonio Federighi, Domenico Beccafumi realized 35 paintings of Biblical
subjects; Baldassarre Peruzzi realized the main altar. The bell
tower, of Romanic structure was built up on an ancient tower of
the Bisdomini family. There is no exact date for its construction,
however it is indicated as being later than 1265 the year of the
construction of the dome of the Cathedral.
Museum of Cathedral Works, was constructed in 1870. Hosts
many masterpieces of various artists, among which stands out the
“Maesta” by Duccio da Buoninsegna.
Santa Caterina in Fontebranda, 1400s church with single nave
interior. It is frescoed with the story of the Saint. The church
is the oratorio of the Noble district dell’Oca.
Santuario Cateriniano, near the church it hosts paintings
which cover the life of the Saint and certain of her personal objects.
Fonte Branda, is the most famous font of the city. Already
noted in 1081, it has been remodelled several times over the centuries.
S.Domenico, started in 1226, and finished more than a century
later, it is an imposing and severe construction in Gothic-Cistercense
style. It is dominated by an elegant crenelated bell tower. The
Egyptian cross, single nave interior is rich with paintings about
the life of Saint Caterina.
S.Francesco, church constructed in 1326, enlarging an already
existing little church, it was completed in the second half of the
1400. During the centuries it has undergone several restorations
and rebuilding works. The interior Egyptian cross, single nave preserves
precious frescoes and other works of art.
|
Historical info reproduced upon authorization of
Regione Toscana - Dipartimento della Presidenza E Affari Legislativi e
Giuridici
Translated by Ann Mountford
Picture by Sandro Santioli |
Gallery: City of Siena
