Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
25 Grom
C3
26 Kopa Kabana
C2
27 La Compagnia dei Vinattieri
B2
28 Morbidi
C2
29 Ristorante Grotta Santa Caterina da Bagoga
B3
30 Tre Cristi
C2
Drinking & Nightlife
31 Bar Il Palio
C3
32 Caffè Fiorella
C3
Shopping
33 Il Pellicano
B3
34 Panificio Il Magnifico
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
 
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