These short races pit sections of the city against one another. Each section is assigned a horse. There are two races each summer, each with a festival.
Siena is known for good-quality cuisine and olive oil. Herbs were introduced by the Etruscans. Try soups, roasted meats, especially the native Cinta Senese swine, and handmade pastas.
Sample Vernaccia, a white wine made with San Gimignano grapes and Chianti Classico, made with a mixture of grapes and raisins.
In Siena, see the 1200s-era cathedral, the Piazza del Campo, the Gothic city hall and the Chapel of the Virgin. San Gimignano is famous for its 13 towers. In Monteriggioni, see the 13th-century fortification wall, part of Siena's defense against Florence. Montepulciano is home to Antonio de Sangallo's San Biagio, a Renaissance church.
See the Fonte Gaia with its sculpted panels. Fontebranda is the oldest Sienese fountain.
