Siena from Orentano
Siena is Florence's great medieval rival, and it makes a completely different day: Gothic where Florence is Renaissance, brick where Florence is stone, and built around what many call Italy's most beautiful square — the shell-shaped, sloping Piazza del Campo.
The banded black-and-white Duomo is one of the most spectacular churches in Italy, and the city's seventeen contrade — the neighbourhoods that race the Palio around the Campo every July and August — give it a fierce local identity a visitor can feel in every lane. It will resonate if you've read about Orentano's own rioni.
Don't miss
- Piazza del Campo — Sit on the warm brick, order nothing fancy, and watch the square work its magic. Torre del Mangia for the view.
- The Duomo — Striped marble, the Piccolomini Library frescoes and the inlaid marble floor (fully uncovered in late summer).
- The contrade — Fountains, flags and museums of the seventeen neighbourhoods that live for the Palio (2 July and 16 August).
Getting there
About 1 h 15 by car from Orentano, via the FI-PI-LI towards Empoli and then the Firenze–Siena raccordo. Park in one of the ringed car parks with escalators up into the centre.
Back in the village by evening: see where to eat and what’s on tonight, or browse places to stay if Orentano isn’t your base yet.