The Basilica of San Domenico was originally built in 1265 and expanded in the 14th century with a Gothic facade. This large basilica has a brick exterior and an imposing bell tower. The interior has transverse wood beams and is filled with important artworks.

The church features several relics and artworks related to Saint Catherine. Saint Catherine spent a lot of time in this Basilica, and many artifacts and artworks in the Basilica memorialize this important Sienese saint.

The Chapel of the Vaults was used by Dominican nuns, the order that Saint Catherine joined. Visitors will find a portrait of Saint Catherine and the Canonization of Saint Catherine by Mattia Preti. On the left wall of the nave, visitors will find artworks by Francesco di Vannuccio, Il Sodoma, Antonio Magagna, Rutilio Manetti, and Sebastiano Folli. The right wall has artworks by Stefano Volpi and Alessandro Casolani.

The Saint Catherine Chapel has an altar housing the saint's mummified head and thumb, which were smuggled out of Rome so that Saint Catherine could rest in her hometown.

Several artworks are featured in the chapel. The Fainting and Ecstasy of Saint Catherine and Death of Niccolò di Tuldo were created by Il Sodoma. Francesco Vanni created Saint Catherine's Exorcism. Francesco di Giorgio created the 15th-century marble pavement.

An altar dedicated to Blessed Ambrogio Sansedoni is located in the right transept. The Gothic-style crypt houses a crucifix and a Crucification painting by Ventura Salimbeni.

Saint Catherine of Siena is one of Siena's most revered citizens. She is known as "the mystic of politics" and fought corruption in the Catholic Church. She traveled to convince the Pope to move back to Rome from Avignon.

The Saint Catherine Sanctuary is not a church but rather Catherine's home, which now includes several chapels and a cloister with a marble well.

Saint Catherine was born in this home in 1347 and lived here with her 23 siblings. At an early age, she joined the Dominican order of nuns and devoted her life to caring for the ill and poor. The order allowed nuns to serve from their homes rather than living in a convent.

The home has been adapted and changed over the centuries, but it is still a place of peace, reverence, and pilgrimage. Walls are decorated with frescoes depicting Saint Catherine's life. Visitors can see the tiny room Saint Catherine slept in.

The Chapel of the Crucifix features a 12th-century crucifix. This cross was responsible for miraculously piercing Saint Catherine's hands, feet, and heart with the stigmata of Christ. Saint Catherine died young at the age of 33 in 1380. She was canonized in 1461.

Located in the historic city of Siena, Tuscan Artistic Stained Glass (Vetrate Artistiche Toscane), also known as Glass Island, stands as a testament to the enduring craft of stained glass art. Founded in 1987 by the Bracciali brothers, Gianni and Massimo, this fully operational studio has been at the forefront of maintaining and advancing the traditional techniques of stained glass that date back to the mid-12th century.

Tuscan Artistic Stained Glass is renowned for its significant contributions to both religious and architectural stained glass projects across the globe, including the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Europe, and Italy. The studio not only produces exquisite stained glass windows, which are pivotal in the decoration of numerous cathedrals but also engages in the creation of mosaics and the modern art of glass fusing. These techniques involve the intricate blending of glass pieces to create vibrant, light-filtering designs, which are increasingly used in the furnishing of homes and commercial spaces-such as tiles, doors, dividing panels, and lamps-and in crafting high-quality costume jewelry.

The commitment of Vetrate Artistiche Toscane extends beyond production to education and restoration. The studio offers design consultation and specialized workshops, allowing the public and aspiring artisans to delve into the craft under expert guidance. Tours of their Siena studio are available upon request, offering a unique insight into the intricate processes of stained glass making, which has been a cornerstone of Siena’s artistic heritage.

The Bracciali brothers continue to explore new techniques and artistic expressions, ensuring that their age-old craft meets contemporary needs and aesthetics. This blend of tradition and innovation ensures that Vetrate Artistiche Toscane remains a vital link to the past while contributing vibrantly to the present and future of glass artistry. For those interested in the craft, or in experiencing this unique art form up close, a visit to Vetrate Artistiche Toscane offers a rich blend of historical reverence and contemporary artistry.

The Gaia Fountain is a monumental fountain located opposite the Public Palace on the high side of Campo Square in Siena. Surrounded by fences, the fountain is a protected monument in the city. The Gaia Fountain was designed by local sculptor, Jacopo della Quercia, in 1419, in keeping with the style traditional for Sienese fountains. It consisted of a rectangular basin surrounded by a high parapet on three sides. The parapet was covered with bas reliefs. The bas reliefs depicted the creation of Adam and the flight from the Garden of Eden. The long section has a statue of the Madonna and the Child surrounded by allegories of the virtues.

The fountain was placed on the site of a previous one, created in 1346. It got its name from the celebrations that took place when water flowed from the fountain for the first time. Legend holds that the fountain was met with much joy, and thus the name Gaia or joyous. Others suggest the term Gaia refers to the Latin term for "bride", and that the fountain was dedicated to the bride of God and patron of Siena, the Virgin Mary. The original panels, created by Jacopo della Quercia, fell into disrepair in the 19th century. Tito Sarrochi reproduced the originals, while the old panels were removed and displayed in the loggia of the Public Palace.

The Campo Square on the site where three ancient towns met and where three main roads intersect. The square was designed to be a gathering site where the entire town could meet and celebrate holidays, enjoy games, or attend political events.

The Campo Square features a red brick fishtail design that was laid in 1349. Eight lines of white travertine cut through the red brick, creating nine sections. The nine sections represent the nine ruling governors who maintained peace and prosperity in Siena from 1291-1355.

The sections also represent the folds of the Virgin Mary's cloak. The Virgin Mary was Siena's patron saint and considered Siena's ultimate ruler. The nine sections radiate out from the central water drain in front of the Public Palace.

In 1297, the government created guidelines to ensure buildings had a congruent appearance. Therefore, many gorgeous, harmonious buildings face Campo Square. The most notable building in the square is the medieval Gothic Public Palace which was home to the Government of Nine and now houses the Civic Museum.

The Joyous Fountain was built in 1346, and the intricate marble carvings were added in 1409. Underground tunnels feed the Joyous Fountain.

The Palio di Siena, a popular horse race, is held twice a year. The course runs around the edge of the Campo Square and fans pack the square. The yearly road cycling race Strade Bianche finishes at the square. In addition, the Campo Square hosts various Carnival festivities every February.

Why You Should Visit:
The Campo Square is known as one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Italy. This gorgeously preserved square is the heart and soul of Siena and the perfect place to immerse yourself in Siena's culture and history.

Tips:
Enjoy a glass of wine, gelato, or coffee in one of the many cafes and restaurants. Watch the activity in the square and listen for the tower bells ringing.

The Public Palace was completed in 1308 after being commissioned by the Council of Nine. It is a fine example of traditional Italian medieval architecture. The first floor is light-colored stone, and the upper floors are made of red brick. The facade is slightly curved inwards to reflect the curve of the Campo Square.

In the center of the facade, you will notice a round bronze plate. The Christogram plate was placed in 1425 to honor Saint Bernardino, whose sermons eased social unrest.

The triforate windows are an architectural specialty unique to Siena. The windows are divided with three arches resting on columns. Visitors will also notice the balzana, or coat of arms of the Town Council of Siena.

The attached bell tower, Mangia Tower, was completed in 1348. It stands at 102 meters, the same height as the Siena Cathedral. The height is also equal to the radius of the square. This was deliberate to show that the church and the state had equal power. The Mangia Tower has a gray upper loggia and a red brick base.

The Piazza Chapel was added in 1352 and features marble statues. The lower loggia was added to fulfill a promise that Black Death survivors made to the Holy Virgin. Visitors can climb the Mangia Tower for panaramic views of Siena.

The Public Palace housed the Council of Nine, who were chosen from the general public by lot. The Council of Nine lived in the palace to avoid outside influence and served for just two months before being replaced by the next set of members. The Public Palace also housed the 500 parliamentary members known as the Grand Council.

The internal courtyard is decorated with the coat of arms of families who served on the Council of Nine. Here, you can enter the Civic Museum and see all the world-class frescoes.

Why You Should Visit:
The Public Palace is the crown of Campo Square and a great example of Siena's impressive architecture.

Tips:
You can purchase a combined ticket to climb the Mangia Tower and visit the Civic Museum. Arrive early as the tower tickets sell out fast.

Siena Cathedral is one of Italy's most exquisite Cathedrals. The Cathedral was completed in 1263 on the site of a church dating to the 9th century. This stunning Cathedral has a transept, a dome, and a bell tower and features artwork from Italy's most prominent artists.

The dome has a hexagonal base and supporting columns. Famous sculptor Gian Lorenzo Bernini designed the lantern on top of the dome. The bell tower features six bells; the oldest bell was cast in 1149. The Cathedral was built with white and dark-colored marble in alternating stripes. White and black are the colors of Siena and represent the white and black horses of the city's founders, Senius and Aschius.

Giovanni Pisano, Nicola Pisano's son, created the west facade with carved sculptures of the prophets and philosophers. The original sculptures are now housed in the Cathedral Treasures Museum, while copies are displayed in the facade.

The mosaic inlay floor is the Cathedral's prized possession and has been called the most beautiful floor ever made. Fifty-six inlay panels were drawn by various Sienese artists and transposed into the marble mosaic inlay.

The most celebrated Italian artists created artwork on display in the Cathedral. Donatello created a statue of Saint John the Baptist in the Saint John the Baptist chape. Michelangelo carved four statues, Saint Peter, Saint Paul, Saint Pius, and Saint Augustine, for the Piccolomini altar. Gian Lorenzo Bernini carved the statues of Saint Mary Magdalen and Saint Jerome in the Chapel of the Vow. Nicola Pisano carved the pulpit that can be seen in the north transept.

A copy of Duccio di Boninsegna's stained glass window is on display. The original is in the Cathedral Treasures Museum. Several other notable stained glass works beautify the Cathedral.

The Cathedral Choir features eight wood-carved inlays by Fra Giovanni da Verona. Underneath the choir, a narthex, long filled with rubble, was excavated between 1999 and 2003. The excavation uncovered 13th-century frescoes depicting scenes from the life of Christ.

Why You Should Visit:
The Siena Cathedral is regarded as one of the most beautiful Cathedrals in Italy and shows the pinnacle of Siena's beauty and commitment to artistry. Statues by Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini are just some of the artworks on display.

Tips:
Inside the main entrance, there's a sign with a map of the Cathedral's floorplan. Take a photo of this map with your phone, so you don't get lost as you explore the massive Cathedral and take in all the sights.

The Cathedral is open until 7 pm and is less crowded in the early evening. The floor is only uncovered during specific dates; check online to see if the floor is uncovered during your visit.