Historic Centre of Siena (Centro storico di Siena)

Siena may not equal Florence, its perennial rival and neighbor to the north, in overall artistic achievement, but its exuberance and charm make it a place incapable of being compared to any other. Centered on Piazza del Campo - the venue for the splendid Palio horse race - the historic district is a receptacle of 12th century Gothic, a lustrous mirror of the Middle Ages, and a work of art that blends with the surrounding urban landscape. Brimming with pearls of architecture and cultural highlights, including the Duomo, the Palazzo Salimbeni, and The Pinacoteca Nazionale, the Historic Centre of Siena is a transcendent trip back in time, ideally to be taken in summer.