Siena - Italy's medieval soul city

As you journey into the Tuscan hills, the fields outside your car window gradually give way to red bricks and steeples, and you find yourself slowly entering a city frozen in the 14th century: Siena. This isn't a city that requires a map, but rather a journey back in time. ⸻ 🏰 Within the City Walls: A Symphony of Stone and Faith Passing through the ancient city gates, narrow, winding streets emerge, and the brick-red buildings gleam with a warm glow in the sunlight. Every stone and every arch here seems to tell a story of medieval glory. The heart of the city is the seashell-like Piazza del Campo. By day, travelers sip cappuccinos at outdoor cafes; at night, the square is bathed in golden lights, resembling a stage. The biannual Palio di Siena horse racing festival ignites the city with passion and glory. ⸻ 🕍 Siena Cathedral: Sculpted in Heaven Ascending the ramp, the black and white marble facade shimmers with a holy light— this is the world-famous Siena Duomo. Every inch of the cathedral is engraved with faith: the sacred dome, the exquisite mosaic floors, and the sea of ​​timeless frescoes in the Piccolomini Library. Climbing to the Facciatone Terrace, you'll be greeted by a vast expanse of red-tiled rooftops and the rolling Tuscan skyline. The wind sweeps through the ancient bell tower, carrying the distant chimes, reminding you that this beauty is not just seen, but felt. ⸻ 🐺 The Legend of the She-Wolf and the Soul of the City In Piazza Salimbeni, a carved column stands. Above it, a she-wolf nursing twin cubs—the symbol of Siena. Legend has it that this city was founded by descendants of Romulus, the founder of Rome. Thus, Siena shares the same blood of Rome—pride, resilience, and freedom. Behind the piazza, the Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the world's oldest bank, has been operating since 1472, bearing witness to the city's rise and fall through the Black Death, war, and prosperity.