Siena
Siena (/siˈɛnə/ see-EN-ə, Italian: [ˈsjɛːna, ˈsjeːna] ⓘ; Latin: Sena Iulia) is a city in Tuscany, Italy. It is the capital of the province of Siena. Siena is the 12th largest city in the region by number of inhabitants, with a population of 53,062 as of 2022.
Siena | |
|---|---|
| Comune di Siena | |
View of Piazza del Campo (Campo Square), the Mangia Tower (Torre del Mangia) and Santa Maria in Provenzano Church | |
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Flag Coat of arms | |
Location of Siena | |
Siena Location of Siena in Italy Siena Siena (Tuscany) | |
| Coordinates: (53893) 43°19′07″N 11°19′50″E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Province | Siena (SI) |
| Frazioni | Abbadia, Agostoli, Bolgione, Colle Malamerenda, Costafabbri, Costalpino, Fogliano, Ginestreto, Isola d'Arbia, Le Tolfe, Monteliscai, Pieve a Bozzone, Presciano, Sant'Andrea a Montecchio, Santa Regina, Taverne d'Arbia, Val di Pugna, Vico d'Arbia, Vignano, Volte Alte |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Nicoletta Fabio (centre-right) |
| Area | |
| • Total | 118 km2 (46 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 322 m (1,056 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2017) | |
| • Total | 53,901 |
| • Density | 460/km2 (1,200/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Senese |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 53100, 53010 |
| Dialing code | 0577 |
| Patron saint | |
| Saint day | 1 December 8 October |
| Website | comune.siena.it |
| Criteria | Cultural: (i)(ii)(iv) |
| Reference | 717 |
| Inscription | 1995 (19th Session) |
| Area | 170 ha (420 acres) |
| Buffer zone | 9,907 ha (24,480 acres) |
The city is historically linked to commercial and banking activities, having been a major banking center until the 13th and 14th centuries. Siena is also home to the oldest bank in the world, the Monte dei Paschi bank, which has been operating continuously since 1472. Several significant Renaissance painters were born and worked in Siena, among them Duccio, Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Simone Martini and Sassetta, and influenced the course of Italian and European art. The University of Siena, originally called Studium Senese, was founded in 1240, making it one of the oldest universities in continuous operation in the world.
Siena was one of the most important cities in medieval Europe, and its historic centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which contains several buildings from the 13th and 14th centuries. The city is famous for its cuisine, art, museums, medieval cityscape and the Palio, a horse race held twice a year in Piazza del Campo.