Immersing yourself in the history of Siena means embarking on a fascinating journey that has its roots in mythology and legend, with origins that some attribute to Remus' son, Senio, or to the leader of the Senones, Brenno. Siena, known for its priceless historical, artistic and landscape value, proudly flaunts its historic center declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1995.
Rich in churches and important palaces such as the Duomo, S. Domenico and the Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank in the world founded in 1472, Siena celebrates its splendour of the municipal era in the famous Palio https://www.itstuscany.com/it/palio-di-siena-le-contrade-i-colori-e-i-simboli/,
held twice a year in the Piazza del Campo.
We'll explore together how these influences have left an indelible imprint on the culture, architecture, and art that define this wonderful city.
Myth and legend in the Foundation of Siena
The foundation of the mysterious city, with tales dating back to the times of Senio and Aschio, sons of Remus. Fleeing the persecution of their uncle Romulus in Rome, the brothers found refuge in this land. Following a wolf, the sacred symbol of the goddess Diana, they decided to found a city, calling it "Senia" in honor of Senio. This tale is intertwined with symbols such as the wolf and the porcupine, the latter seen as a positive omen by the founders. Depictions of these creatures, such as the gilded bronze one by Giovanni di Turino in the Palazzo Pubblico, still adorn the city today, reminding us of its legendary origins.
During the Etruscan period, Siena emerged as a predominantly agricultural center, rather than an urban formation proper. The necropolises of Campansi, Porta Camollia, and other localities are silent testimonies of a settlement that developed around vital productive activities.
Siena in the Roman and Medieval Period
During the Roman era, the city transformed from a simple military outpost to a thriving municipium, known as Sena Julia. This change began around 30 AD, marking an era of significant development for the city. The first historical mention of Siena dates back to 70 AD., describing it as a small military colony in the Tuscia region.
With the advent of Christianity, it became a Christian diocese and the bishop of Siena acquired both civil and temporal powers, profoundly influencing the social and political structure of the city. In the eighth and ninth centuries, under the Frankish period, the Abbey of Sant'Antimo and the County of Siena were established, governed by a count appointed by the Frankish king. The County of Siena was incorporated into Pepin's Regnum Italicum in 781. This period marked the beginning of the feudal fragmentation that characterized the 10th and 11th centuries, with local lords exercising control over castles and territories. However, the 12th century marked the beginning of Siena's revival as a commercial and financial powerhouse, with the creation of the Gran Tavola and the expansion of the Via Francigena, cementing its position as a crucial center for trade and finance in Europe.
Conflicts with Florence and the fall of the Republic of Siena
During the thirteenth and fifteenth centuries, Siena and Florence were involved in numerous conflicts, fueled by their ambition to expand their respective territories. Siena, a bulwark of the Ghibelline faction, was the protagonist of significant battles against the Guelphs, including the Battle of Montaperti in 1260, an event that profoundly marked the military history of the region.
Siena's situation began to decline due to a series of unfortunate events, including a papal ban prohibiting trade and the final defeat of the Ghibellines, which delivered the city into the hands of the Guelphs, close allies of Florence. These events not only marked a turning point in Siena's history, but also the prelude to its fall as an independent republic.
The era of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany
After the fall of the Republic of Siena, the Treaty of Cateau-Cambrésis in 1559 marked the beginning of a new era for the city, with the birth of the Stato Nuovo di Siena or Duchy of Siena, which became part of the Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Initially ruled by Cosimo I de' Medici, the Duchy was an autonomous entity within the Grand Duchy, extending over the current provinces of Siena and Grosseto, except for some areas of the Principality of Piombino and the State of the Presidi. The capital, Siena, was surrounded by its own countryside, divided into the Masses of Siena, and administered by a governor-general-lieutenant appointed by the Grand Duke.
The importance of the Via Francigena for Siena
The Via Francigena, officially recognized in the twelfth century, is not only a pilgrimage route connecting Canterbury to Rome, but has been a crucial route for the commercial and cultural development of Siena.
Siena, with its strategic position along this route, has become an essential stopping point, enriching its history with a constant flow of pilgrims and traders.
This journey through the history of Siena made us want to take a tour of the city, to admire its beauty in these late spring days. Here you will find a lot https://www.terredisiena.it/ of useful information.
Map