2-Hour Siena Legends and Mysteries Walking Tour with Hidden Tales

The journey

Trip highlights

• 01 Explore Siena's most beloved legends and mysteries on foot
• 02 Hear the tragic tales of Pia dei Tolomei and the lovers Mariotto and Ganozza
• 03 Walk around Piazza del Campo and uncover the legend of the Torre del Mangia's first bell ringer
• 04 Follow the story of Siena's never-found hidden river at Fonte Gaia
• 05 Discover Siena's darker folklore, from witches and ghosts to the Fontebranda werewolf

Take an enchanting 2-hour walk through Siena's most beloved legends and mysteries. From Pia dei Tolomei to the first bell ringer of the Torre del Mangia, enjoy charming views of the city while following the never-found river said to flow beneath it. Discover the mysterious side of Siena's history and hear of the Fontebranda werewolf crying in the wind.

Take an enchanting 2-hour walk through Siena's most beloved legends and mysteries.

From the itinerary

At a glance

What this trip includes

Duration 2 Hours

Tour type Private

Activity level Moderate

Accommodation Not included

Transport Not included

Wheelchair access Yes

City Siena

Languages English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish

Day by day

The itinerary

1

Day 01

Saints, Pagans and a Condemned Lover

• Start at the Basilica of San Domenico, where the relics of Saint Catherine tell the story of a woman who changed Siena, Europe, and the history of the Church. A mystical woman, married to the Lord, she 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 is the fatally cruel story of Pia dei Tolomei, told in front of the palace mentioned by Dante in his Divine Comedy, to whom he dedicated verses.
• Discover the fate of the unfortunate lovers Mariotto and Ganozza, the story that inspired Shakespeare to write Romeo and Juliet. Walk around the couple's romantic palace, Palazzo Mignanelli, listening to their voices still echoing in the wind during moonless nights, and observe the mighty towers where their story was set - or so they say!

2

Day 02

Hidden Waters, Spirits, Ghosts 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 story of Siena's mysterious river, never found and secretly hidden. According to tradition, pixies lived in its gallery, and a magical herb sprouting from the square helped 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, Siena's most famous vampire, Niccolò di Tuldo, is said to walk at night.
• Before the tour ends, walk along the crossroads of the four cantons ("Quattro Cantoni"), where witches gathered before leaving 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.

The route

Where you'll travel

The fine print

Trip details

What's Included

• 2-hour private tour with an expert local guide

Know before you go

• Participants will walk medium distances.

• Please be sure to wear comfortable shoes and be prepared for variable weather conditions.

• Please dress appropriately to enter sacred places: keep your shoulders covered and do not wear shorts.

• In case of wheelchairs or pushchairs, please inform us in advance so that we can organize the tour in the best possible way.

• Due to sudden museum closures or force majeure, we may change the itinerary without prior notice.

Logistics

Meeting & route

Meeting point

In front of the office in Piazza Madre Teresa di Calcutta 5, opposite the Basilica of San Domenico

Tour start

53100 Siena SI, Italia

Tour ends at the same location as the start point.