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Siena

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Description

Siena is a fascinating city of art, famous for its medieval architecture and the Palio. The city is located between green hills in the centre of Tuscany, surrounded by the river valleys of Merse, Arbia and Elsa, Chianti hills, Montagnola and Crete Senesi. On the one hand Siena is home to an important Italian bank and a hospital, on the other hand it is an important university centre with many international relations. Furthermore, Siena is considered one of the cities with the highest quality of life in Italy.

Population

54,000

Official Website

www.comune.siena.it

History

The city was an ancient Etruscan settlement, by legend founded by Remo’ s sons, Senio and Aschio, escaping from their uncle Romolo. Already being a Roman colony, named Saena Iulia, it became an important city in the Middle Ages thanks to the Via Francigena, the pilgrims’ route from Canterbury to Rome. Between 1200 and 1300 its merchants and bankers were active all over Europe and soon Siena clashed with Florence’s interests. The city knew its maximum cultural and economical splendor during the Government of Nine, the so called Republic of Siena. In 1559 the city lost its independence because of the Medici family and the Emperor Charles V…

Basics

Public Transport

By a 0.95 € ticket you can travel by bus for one hour. You can find tickets at Tabacchi, Edicola, and Cartoleria. The urban buses (orange ones) n. 3, 8,  10, 17, 77 leaving from Railway Station go to the city centre in 5 (Piazza del Sale) or 6 (Piazza Gramsci) stops.

Taxi

Tel. +39 49222

Trains

www.trenitalia.com

Hospitals

The Hospital is in Viale Bracci 1, and a pharmacy which is open 24 hours.
For serious injuries there is an emergency number to call: 118 or the medical station in Via Roma.

Internet

Hotspots can be found at the main roads in the centre, and in a few coffee shops. Free wireless internet is available in many places, for example Piazza Gramsci, Via delle Termini and Via di Salicotto.

Insiders

Food and Drinks

Discounts with the ESN card at:
Enoteca  Faldoni & Querci, P.zza del Campo 61; Pub San Paolo, Vicolo San Paolo 2; Kroeg Pub, Pian d’Ovile 70; Bar Centrale, Via Cecco Angioglieri
You should try the Chianti and Brunello wine (first in the world!), pecorino from Pienza, Cantucci, Panforte and Ricciarelli.
Enoteca Italiana is at the entrance of the Fortezza Medicea.
Walk through the city centre and you’ll find a lot of restaurants, wineries and bars!

Supermarket

At Piazza Matteotti you can find a Conad store and outside, near to the Railway Station you can find a Shopping Centre and a COOP store over the bridge.

Monuments

Via Banchi di Sopra, Piazza Salimbeni, Piazza Tolomei, Piazza del Campo and Palazzo Pubblico (City Hall) with “Mangia Tower”, Via di Città, Quattro Cantoni, Castelvecchio, Pinacoteca, Duomo, Battistero and and Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex, Palazzo delle Papesse, Palazzo Chigi Saracini, Palazzo Piccolomini and Logge del Papa, San Domenico Church, Fontebranda and Santa Caterina Sanctuary, San Francesco Church and S. Maria in Provenzano Church, Lizza and Fortezza Medicea.

Shopping

Siena has a new Shopping Centre opposite to the Train Station, here you can find everything you can think of. The city centre is full of stores as well.

Nightlife

Try out the Gallery in Via Pantaneto 14, (Erasmus Party on Wednesday), Kroeg Pub in Pian d’Ovile 70,with live music and good beers, Barone Rosso in Via dei Termini, Bella Vista Social Club in Via San Martino.

Contact

Team Switzerland

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