Medieval Siena Walking Tour (Self Guided), Siena

Siena is a beautiful medieval city whose Gothic-era identity, acquired between the 12th and 15th centuries, has been successfully preserved due to the centuries of political and economic irrelevance in the shadow of its grander neighbor Florence. Today's Siena is a cultural gold mine and ideal place to revel in medieval Italy.

No tour of Siena is complete without visiting its heart, the gorgeous Piazza Del Campo – one of Europe’s finest and most important medieval squares – around which the entire city was built.

If Piazza Del Campo is the heart of Siena, then the Duomo (Siena Cathedral) is its soul. Built atop the city's highest point in 1263, on the site of a 9th-century church, this white and dark-green striped temple is lavished with statues and mosaics.

As for Cripta del Duomo di Siena (Crypt of the Siena Cathedral) – this is an attraction in its own right in terms of medieval archaeology; rediscovered in 1999.

Basilica of San Francesco – a Romanesque-style church built in the 13th century and expanded two centuries later with a Gothic facade.

Chiesa di San Vigilio (San Vigilio Church) – originally built in the 11th century, restored after a fire in 1231; dedicated to Bishop and martyr St Vigillius.

St Catherine Sanctuary – honors one of Siena's most revered citizens, known as "the mystic of politics" who fought corruption in the Catholic Church.

Fonte Branda (Branda Fountain) – the oldest city fountain in Siena and a principal source of water in the city during the middle ages; built in 1246.

To find yourself in an architectural time warp and explore these and other medieval attractions of Siena in more detail, take this self-guided walking tour.