Itinerary

1. 1: Saints, pagans and a condemned lover

   • Start at the Basilica of San Domenico, where there are the relics of Saint Catherine that represent the story of a woman who changed Siena and all of Europe and the church's history. A mystical woman, married to the Lord, managed to transform our world forever.
   • Move to the Arco dei Malavolti, located near Piazza Salimbeni, and admire the only Roman architectural element left in the city: the last testimony of our legendary Roman ancestors.
   • The third discovery will be the fatally cruel story of Pia dei Tolomei, in front of the palace that Dante mentions in his Divine Comedy, in whose work he dedicated rhymes to her.
   • Discover the fate of the unfortunate lovers Mariotto and Ganozza, the story that inspired Shakespeare to write his tragedy, Romeo and Juliet. Walk around the couple's romantic palace, Palazzo Mignanelli, listening to their voices still echoing in the wind during moonless nights, observing the mighty towers where their story was set (or so they say!)

2. 2: Hidden Waters, Spirits, Ghost and how to fight them!

   • Move to Piazza del Campo. Walk around this UNESCO site and hear the story (half history, half legend) of the first bell ringer of the Torre del Mangia, who gave his nickname to the tower (it is the second tallest medieval tower in Europe that we can still enjoy today!).
   • Arrive at Fonte Gaia, which hides the history of the mysterious river of Siena never found and secretly hidden. According to tradition, pixies lived in his gallery and a magical herb, sprouting from the square, provided help in the fight against these magical creatures. However, as people have stopped believing in magic, this plant can no longer be found in the square. This particular herb, called tarragon, was used against evil creatures and in trade in the nearby Piazza del Mercato: 
   • Visit the place where witches were tortured and burned and where even today, the most famous vampire of Siena, Niccolò di Tuldo, walks at night.
   • Before the tour ends, walk along the crossroads of the four cantons (“Quattro Cantoni”) where the witches gathered to leave the city for their nightly assemblies: see the Virgin Mary with the black crow, which keeps the city safe from the plague and hear the story of the mysterious head of Father Giomo, hidden in the Botanical Garden.