Siena

Siena's greatest period of prosperity was 13 C - 14 C, when it was an independent republic with a well organised administration of its own. It fluorished essentially on trade and banking. Siena was opposed its powerful neighbour Florence and one of the most memorable episodes of this struggle was the Battle of Montaperti, when the Sienese Ghibellines defeated the Florentine Guelphs. During this time Siena acquired her most prestigious buildings and a local school of painting evolved which played a notalbe part in the development of italian art. In 1348 the plague decimated Siena's population and the city began to decline as dissention continued to reign among the rival factions. By the early 15 C Siena's golden era was over. Be sure to visit the Piazza del Campo, Palazzo Pubblico, the Duomo, the Museo di Santa Maria della Scala just across, the Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana, the Battistero di San Giovanni and Pinacoteca Nazionale.