Surrounded by olive groves and the vineyards of Chianti, Siena is one of the most beautiful cities of Tuscany. Set on three hills, the city is drawn together by winding alleyways and steep steps, whilst the Piazza del Campo stands at its heart, and the Duomo and St Maria della Scala serve as additional cultural landmarks Famed for the "Palio", the annual historic horse-races that take place on 2 throughout the academic year. In addition to the bustling daily life of the streets and squares of the city, Siena offers many cultural events, concerts, cinema, theatre and a wide range of sporting activities.July and 16 August, it is also home to one of the oldest Universities in Europe, which ensures a vibrant Italian student atmosphere.

Few geographical areas in the world can boast of the variety of environment that surrounds Siena. To the north, we have the richness of the Chianti landscape, woven with vines and olive-trees throughout the hills
Here also are beautiful towns like San Gimignano and Monteriggioni with old walls, winding streets and incredible views. South of Siena, the Arbia valley leads to the hill-top town of Montalcino, home to the famous Brunello wine. And the area La Crete stretches out, amazing visitors with its harsh rock formations and unique landscape.

Westwards we head towards the coast, to captivitating coastline towns like Castiglione della Pescaia, and nature reserves like the area called Maremma. With such natural beauty within easy reach by car or public transport
The Chianti area, between Florence and Siena, is one of the most beautiful countrysides in Italy and a famous wine production area.

The legend tells that Siena was founded by Senio, Remo’s son, one of the founders of Rome. The origin of Siena’s name is still today an object of research: some historians attribute it to the Etruscan Saina family, some others to the Roman Saenii family. Certainly, the development of this town increased only in the Middle Ages, when the town expanded in various directions. Siena was pre-eminently a Ghibelline town and it often “crossed its swords” with the Florentine Guelphs in epic and bloody fights, that marked the history of the Italian Middle Ages.

One of the most famous battles took place in Montaperti, on 4th September 1260, when the Sienese defeated the Florentine. Siena reached its full splendour in 1300, when the most part of the civil monuments was built and it was made an attempt to build the new Duomo. In the XIV centuri, the city was attached with the Tuscan Grand DuchySiena is situated 322 mt above the sea level, in the heart of Tuscany. It has kept its typical medieval appearance untouched, with narrow alleys and noble palaces, surrounded by a beautiful hill landscape.

Siena is an ancient medieval town, that was born on three hills and was enclosed by walls. Still today, it welcomes its visitors with this motto, written on the Camollia Door: “Cor Magi tibi Seni pandit” (Siena opens its heart to you, even more than its door). The undisputed symbol of the town is the tower Torre del Mangia, in the renowed Piazza del Campo, that has been the theatre of the Palio for many centuries.

http://www.aboutsiena.com/the-city-of-Siena-Italy.html
http://www.globeholidays.net/Europe/Italy/Toscana/Siena/Siena_Citta.htm