Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
25
Grom
C3
26
Kopa Kabana
C2
B2
28
Morbidi
C2
B3
30
Tre Cristi
C2
Drinking & Nightlife
31
Bar Il Palio
C3
C3
Shopping
33
Il Pellicano
B3
B4
History
Legend tells us that Siena was founded by the son of Remus, and the symbol of the wolf
feeding the twins Romulus and Remus is as ubiquitous in Siena as it is in Rome. In reality
the city was probably of Etruscan origin, although it didn't begin to grow into a proper
town until the 1st century BC, when the Romans established a military colony here called
Sena Julia.
In the 12th century, Siena's wealth, size and power grew along with its involvement in
commerce and trade. Its rivalry with neighbouring Florence grew proportionately, leading
to numerous wars during the first half of the 13th century between Guelph Florence and
Ghibelline Siena. Eventually, Siena was forced to ally with its rival in 1270.
In the ensuing century the city was ruled by the Consiglio dei Nove (Council of Nine, a
bourgeois group constantly bickering with the aristocracy) and enjoyed its greatest
prosperity.
A plague outbreak in 1348 killed two-thirds of Siena's 100,000 inhabitants and led to a
period of decline that culminated in the city being handed over to Cosimo I de' Medici,
who barred the inhabitants from operating banks and thus severely curtailed its power.
This centuries-long economic downturn in the wake of the Medici takeover was a bless-
ing in disguise, as lack of funds meant that it was subject to very little redevelopment or