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Siena Centro
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If you are planning to stay a few days in Siena, you probably already know a lot about the city’s colorful Palio race, which has become one of the most famous pageants in the world. You’ll know that the city is divided into 17 historic neighborhoods, which have pretty much been there since time immemorial (or at least as long as anybody’s counting!), and that the rivalries and alliances amongst them go back centuries. This classically Tuscan apartment is located on the first floor of a very ancient building in the Onda contrada, whose colors are pale blue and white to represent the water and foam of the wave (onda means “wave” in Italian) -- the name was bestowed because the neighborhood’s militia were responsible for protecting Siena’s distant coastal territories during the Middle Ages. The colors were also inspired by the contrada motto: “The color of the sky, the strength of the sea.” You can learn much more about the contrada, and see all the banners it has won in hundreds of Palio horse races, at the museum right around the corner from the house. We definitely recommend a visit! One thing you might not learn at the museum is that Onda’s traditional enemy is Torre – so keep that in mind during your Sienese sojourn!
Residents of this building have been anxiously pacing the 150 yards from here to Il Campo for at least 400 years – but fortunately for you, the fixtures and features have all been recently modernized! While the plumbing and electricity are up-to-date, the terra cotta floors, wood-beamed cathedral ceilings and white plaster walls look much as they did in the beginning, and this gives the 600-square-foot apartment loads of charm as well as a roomy feeling. After you have climbed the 33 steps up from the street, you will enter into the big living room, which has a sleep sofa for one person, a fold-out bed for one person, chairs, dining area and kitchenette fitted with a large fridge/freezer, gas cooktop, microwave oven, toaster oven, dishwasher, kettle and American coffeemaker. Satellite TV and a stereo make this a great place to hang out in the colder months. In warmer months, you’ll definitely be climbing 15 more steps up to the covered terrace, which has a table and chairs, a barbecue and a fantastic view of medieval Siena! Back downstairs, the apartment is completed by a bedroom with queen bed, large closet and dresser, overlooking a quiet courtyard; and a bathroom with stall shower and washing machine.
Vital information:
On Vicolo del Sambuco, 10 minutes’ walk from the Campo, the Duomo and a parking structure
33 steps up from ground level (no elevator)
Living room with two single sleep sofas
One bedroom (sleeps 2)
One bathroom with stall shower
Kitchenette with refrigerator/freezer, dishwasher, stove-top, microwave and toaster oven
Washing machine
Iron and board
Portable standing fans
Central heating
