Enjoying Siena: the art and the Middle-Ages

Here we are with a new itinerary around Siena to discover the best hidden treasures. We will focus in the southern part of the city centre, starting from Porta Romana, the further south portal in the medieval walls of Siena.

Sinagoga di Siena interno

Our journey starts at the Synagogue, in the Vicolo delle Scotte 14, at the heart of the Jewish ghetto. Starting from here you will cross Via Roma and Via Pantaneto, that turn left on Via di Cane e Gatto, then right at Vicolo delle Scotte that you will find on the left.

If you are already in the main Piazza del Campo, you will go through Via di Salicotto, then turning on your left, then on a flight of stairs until Vicolo delle Scotte that you will find at your left.
Siena’s Synagogue was designed by the Florentine architect Giuseppe del Rosso as an upgrade of the previous older place of worship, inaugurated in the 1786. Nowadays, it is still used by the Jewish community and it represents one of the few examples of the Neoclassicism and Rococà in town.

After this first visit, we suggest you to reach Via del Porrione where you will find the Restaurant Gallo Nero, a great place that worth a visit to taste the local delicacies.
The Restaurant Gallo Nero was born the 5^th of May in 1985, at the heart of the city, surrounded by the typical medieval atmosphere. And the Middle-Ages lies at the core of their cuisine, always looking for the best local products to ensure the best quality and the authenticity of all the raw materials. We loved the hand-made gnocchi with ricotta and fresh zucchini, flavoured with porcini mushrooms and duck. Here as a special welcome, chef Mauro Tigli will make you taste the unique medieval bread, prepared following an exclusive ancient recipe.

Interno salone ristorante Gallo Nero

After a relaxing break inside the welcoming Gallo Nero, we continue our journey exploring Tommaso Andreini’s studio, a famous Sienese painter. His art, through a dreamlike and imaginary language, reworks and rephrases the local history, literature and mythology. We suggest you a visit to the medieval church of San Martino situated in via del Porrione, renovated in the 1537 and the new façade was accomplished in the 1738.

From here, passing from Via Banchi di Sotto, after a lovely walk in Via di Pantaneto, we find the last stop of our journey: a good gelato at ‘Nice’, in via di Pantaneto 152, a great ice-cream parlour, winner of ‘The best Siena’s artisan ice-cream’. The award was definitely worth it. Try the flavour ‘Nice’: an amazing combination of lovely Chantilly cream, crunchy meringue and wild strawberries. Superb!