Discovering Siena with children

Siena is one of the pearls of Tuscany, a city of timeless charm that is absolutely worth a visit. Famous worldwide for the Palio, the historic horse race between the Contrade, Siena is transformed in the summer: the streets come alive, the atmosphere becomes vibrant and the experience becomes unforgettable for young and old alike.

But Siena is much more than the Palio. In every season, the city offers hidden treasures, family-friendly experiences and perfect places to explore with children. If you're planning a family visit, here are some tips for experiencing Siena at its best with little ones

Piazza del Campo in Siena

It is Piazza del Campo the heart of Siena, the place from which to start or where to spend some free time, simply getting lost, running and watching, especially for children.
The square, pedestrian like the entire center, is surrounded by medieval buildings and harkens back to glorious times and Palio celebrations. Yet even when empty it is incredibly charming; immense for the little ones. The pavement is leaning, of red bricks, with the Gaia fountain on one side and the Torre del Mangia on the other: this square encapsulates the essence of this town, welcoming and simple in its majesty.
From the square depart narrow streets and delightful constraints, to wander aimlessly, discovering a center truly on a human scale, until you get to discover the Cathedral of Siena, so beautiful that even children will be dazzled by it

Piazza del Campo is special not only because of its size capable of making you feel like a little Lilliputian who has ended up in a world of giants, but also because of its shape. The Piazza is in fact shell-shaped, with 9 segments, one for each member of the historic Government of the 9. The Government of the 9 was one of the most important magistracies for the city, so much so that it is remembered as "the good government." Thanks to these 9 magistrates, beginning in the late 1200s, Siena experienced a period of great economic prosperity.
The square is a true unicum, a jewel of medieval town planning!
Of course, walking around the square it is not easy to realize the particular shape, it is always better to have a view from above...

The Mangia Tower

Here is the solution to be able to admire the square from above! The Torre del Mangia is the civic tower of the Palazzo Comunale located right on the Piazza del Campo. At 88 meters high, the tower ranks fourteenthamong the tallest ancient towers in Italy.
The name is very curious and hides an equally curious story. Like every tower, it had a janitor who was in charge of maintenance and security. However, the janitor, Giovanni di Duccio, was a peculiar fellow, in fact he was very greedy and squandered all his savings in the taverns of Siena (how can you blame him!). Because of his unbridled love of cooking and his constant squandering of money, Giovanni was called in town il Mangiaguadagni. From this playful nickname was born La Torre del Mangia!
Useful Info:

• The Tower can be visited from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• The cost of the ticket is 10€

Credits David McSpadden Torre del Mangia in Siena)

The Palazzo Pubblico and the Civic Museum of Siena

Also in Piazza del Campo, next to the Torre del Mangia, is Siena's Palazzo Pubblico, the place where the city's government has always been based. The Palazzo, made of travertine and red brick, is aesthetically very beautiful; so beautiful that during its construction (which took place around 1300) an edict obliged adjacent houses to conform to the architectural features of the Palazzo so as not to obscure its beauty.
Today, the Palazzo Pubblico, houses one of the most important museums in Italy: the Museo Civico which holds some of the most famous works of Tuscan art.
The most famous room is undoubtedly The Room of the Nine; here is kept "The Allegory of Good and Bad Government" one of Ambrogio Lorenzetti's most famous frescoes. It is a work full of hidden meanings and characters to unearth: very interesting for young and old alike.

Here to compare the skipping tickets of Siena's Palazzo Pubblico

The majestic Medici Fortress

Tuscany is a region full of marvelous Castles and Fortresses; among them, the Medici Fortress is a much-loved place for the Sienese, especially during the summer season.
Also known as the Fortress of Santa Barbara, this is an example of 16th-century military architecture, which stands in the vicinity of the stadium, just above the city. In the summer, music, film and theater events are organized in its spacious amphitheater, also promoted by the Siena Jazz Association, which is based right inside the fortress.
The municipal administration has always enhanced this place with a rich cultural calendar of exhibitions, workshops, merchants, stands of typical gastronomic products and games even for children.

Credits Sailko Medici Fortress in Siena

Santa Maria della Scala and the Museum of Art for Children

If you visit Siena with children, the Santa Maria della Scala complex is a must-see. Here you'll find the Children's Art Museum designed to introduce young children to history and art in an interactive way.
There are several thematic tours available, ranging from history to architecture, art to archaeology. Families can participate in activities designed especially for children, who through play discover the collections and temporary exhibitions. Events are curated by art and education experts and offer an engaging experience from theory to practice.

Tip: before your visit, check the calendar on the official website to find out what activities are scheduled and book the ones most appropriate for your children's age.

Credits Barbara Lachi Children's Art Museum inside Santa Maria della Scala

Polatour is a fun way to discover Siena

The best way to visit a place is to do it together with local people, asking them what to see, where to go and what are the most original or significant corners. From this belief comes Polaroad, an alternative tour guide, started by three girls from Siena itself.
Each participant is given a kit that consists of a guide book, a map of the city with stops to visit and a Polaroad camera on loan with ten instant polaroid films for souvenir photos.
The Polaguides tell anecdotes, stories and curiosities, as well as pointing out must-see events and places; like among friends.
There are several guided routes, both in Italian and English, and three are reimagined in a kids friendly key.
Thus the Top10 Siena route, with the ten best Siena stops, becomes the "Ten Treasures of Siena Hunt." The 17 contrada fountains are transformed into "The 17 Fantastic Animals of Siena"; while "The Young Contradaiolo's Handbook" is a route dedicated to the Palio for children/youths visiting the city during the Palio days.

Here to book a pola tour

The Pecci Garden, the Tolomei Garden and the Botanical Museum

The orto dei Pecci is an always recommended destination for families visiting Siena. It is a medieval vegetable garden, and that means there are no tropical plants, or colorful flowers, but lettuce, cabbage, turnips and onions grow here: all common foods that were part of the diet of the time!
The Pecci Kitchen Garden is easily accessible from downtown and can be a pleasant and relaxing break from city sightseeing. It has a large outdoor space, a green park where you can play ball and run around, a farm with animals and the wonderful vegetable garden that is also a piece of history and culture. The Pecci's vegetable garden is a private garden, so it can only be visited by those who eat at the restaurant inside.

Credits Mauro Manganelli The Pecci garden in Siena

If you still have time for a relaxing break, the Orti dei Tolomei are a worthwhile destination. They are fields of olive and fruit trees, a stone's throw from the center and with a beautiful view of the city. Frequented by Sienese, students, families with children and tourists throughout the year, in summer the gardens become a stage for concerts, cinema and shows.
A tour of the gardens and vegetable gardens cannot fail to include a visit to the Botanical Museum, consisting of the Botanical Garden and the Herbarium.
Here are preserved more than two thousand plant species, from typical Mediterranean to the most original from exotic countries, including reconstructions of particular Tuscan habitats. Over time, treasure hunts have been organized to make the visit more fascinating to the eyes of young visitors.

Credits Riccardo Fossi Filangieri Beautiful Botanical Garden of Siena

Astronomical Observatory

The Astronomical Observatory of the University of Siena is a place for the study and observation of space, which was created right inside the university complex. The center offers orientation and knowledge activities for all grades and school levels, as well as for curious visitors interested in discovering the starry sky.
The observatory organizes lectures, observatory openings and public evenings of guided sky observation in cooperation with other organizations and associations in the area.

Credits Alex Schiafone Siena University Astronomical Observatory

The environs of Siena

Tuscany is all wonderful, with hamlets in the hills (all beautiful and excellently preserved) all the way to the seaside. The food is remarkable and the dishes tasty; also the wine, of which the area around Siena is a renowned producer. Around Siena several curious places to experience with children.
The abbey of San Galgano, some 30 km from Siena, is the roofless church that hides the legend of the sword in the rock. A sword was thrust here by Galgano and no other monk was able to extract it. The abbey is a pleasant visit even just from the outside, with its large lawn around and the walk to take around the remains.
Two other wild destinations, also in the province, are the free spas of Petriolo, between Siena and Grosseto, and the baths of San Filippo, at the foot of Mount Amiata.
In addition to the spas, hot springs are found here in totally natural settings.

Credits Giosuè Bolis The beautiful scenery of Bagni di San Filippo