James Bond Inspired Visit to the Medieval City of Siena - Italy
Posted: April 10, 2025 | Tagged: Italy
Visiting Siena in Tuscany on a trip inspired by the James Bond movie Quantum of Solace.
My visit to the Medieval City of Siena in Tuscany, was inspired by the movie Quantum of Solace, starring none other than Daniel Craig as James Bond 007.
After a car chase around Lake Garda, Bond arrives in Siena, Tuscany, entering the city through the Arco di San Giuseppe by the Chiesa di San Giuseppe and then to the MI6 safe house through the tunnel on Piazzetta Della Paglietta.
After a car chase around Lake Garda, Bond arrives in Siena, Tuscany, entering the city through the Arco di San Giuseppe by the Chiesa di San Giuseppe and then to the MI6 safe house through the tunnel on Piazzetta Della Paglietta.
The tunnel from Quantum of Solace:
Lots of the scenes of that movie were filmed in Pinewood Studios but the dramatic rooftop chases were done on location in Siena.
Corsa del Palio, the famous horse races of medieval origin that are held twice annually on the Piazza del Campo, where Bond emerged from a drain hole before running off into the town hall.
You haven't seen the movie?
Corsa del Palio, the famous horse races of medieval origin that are held twice annually on the Piazza del Campo, where Bond emerged from a drain hole before running off into the town hall.
You haven't seen the movie?
Siena also plays host to the annual cycle race, Strade Bianche, won this year for a 3rd time by Tadej POGACAR.
Siena is cute. It lies at 322 m (1,056 ft) above sea level. I love the narrow streets and the view of the rooftops from my albergo were just to die for.
Siena is cute. It lies at 322 m (1,056 ft) above sea level. I love the narrow streets and the view of the rooftops from my albergo were just to die for.
Siena was a good place to recharge my batteries a bit.
Siena in April attracts lots of tourists. Florence is just an hour away. They get bussed in and bussed out.
The early mornings up on the roof were relaxing. I could just concentrate on enjoying the moment, even if slightly chilly:
The early mornings up on the roof were relaxing. I could just concentrate on enjoying the moment, even if slightly chilly:
My entry to Siena was slightly less dramatic than 007's.
I arrived on a FlixBus from Genoa, took the escalator up the hill and entered the city through the Porta Camollia, the oldest gate in Siena:
I arrived on a FlixBus from Genoa, took the escalator up the hill and entered the city through the Porta Camollia, the oldest gate in Siena:
My exploration took me to these 10 top sights in Siena:
1. Piazza e Palazzo Salimbeni
The Palazzo Salimbeni is a Gothic-style palace on the piazza of the same name and dates from the 14th century. The Salimbeni were the richest family in Siena and the building still houses the offices of Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena, the oldest bank in the world.
The statue in the foreground is of Sallustio Antonio Bandini, who was born in Siena in the 17th century and was a priest, politician and renowned economist,
The statue in the foreground is of Sallustio Antonio Bandini, who was born in Siena in the 17th century and was a priest, politician and renowned economist,
2. Basilica of San Francesco
The Basilica of San Francesco is one of the most important churches in Siena. It was originally built between between 1326 and 1475. What you see today is from the 19th century, with 8 chapels on the sides of the main chapel, which was designed by Giuseppe Partini, with a stained glass window by Leopoldo Maccari:
3. Insigne Collegiata di Santa Maria in Provenzano
The Insigne Collegiata di Santa Maria in Provenzano is the second most important place of worship in the city, after the Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta, Siena's cathedral.
4. Chiesa di San Cristoforo
Located in Piazza Tolomei, the church of San Cristoforo dates from the 11th and 12th centuries. Over the years, it has undergone several modifications, including being totally rebuilt following an earthquake in 1798.
5. Piazza del Campo
The Piazza del Campo, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, where every year on July 2nd and August 16th, the piazza is covered with a mixture of tuff and sand, where horses race in the Palio.
Il Campo is the focal point of the city of Siena.
Il Campo is the focal point of the city of Siena.
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6. Palazzo Pubblico
Built between 1297 and 1310, by order of the Government of the Nine of the Republic of Siena, the Palazzo Pubblico with the Torre del Mangia, regarded as the symbol of the city:
7. Torre del Mangia
The Torre del Mangia was built between 1338 and 1348 and stands at 87 metres high and is the 3rd tallest tower in Italy:
8. Duomo di Siena
The Duomo of Santa Maria Assunta, the Cathedral of Siena, is one of the most important Romanesque-Gothic churches in Italy. Construction started as long ago as the 12 century. Words can simply not describe the beauty of the Duomo di Siena!
9. Fontebrande Fountain
Fontebranda is Siena’s most famous medieval fountain. It was built in the 13th century and is the city's largest and oldest fountain.
It originally had three basins. Fed by the ancient Sienese underground aqueduct system which extends more than 25 kilometres, the first basin was regarded as the purest and used for drinking water. The second, fed by the overflow of the first basin, was where the animals would drink. The third basin was used for washing clothes and the left over water was by tanners, in dying workshops and by millers to power the mills.
It originally had three basins. Fed by the ancient Sienese underground aqueduct system which extends more than 25 kilometres, the first basin was regarded as the purest and used for drinking water. The second, fed by the overflow of the first basin, was where the animals would drink. The third basin was used for washing clothes and the left over water was by tanners, in dying workshops and by millers to power the mills.
10. Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico
The Basilica di San Domenico, also referred to as the Basilica of St. Catherine, was built between 1226 and 1265, with numerous changes in the 17th and 18th centuries and serves as an imposing landmark in the city.
When the light is good, Siena has some cracking photo opportunities:
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View from the Forteleza Medicea:
View of the Duomo di Siena from near the Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico:
The old narrow streets in the medieval city of Siena are definitely worth exploring. Wander at will without a map, get lost and enjoy the moment:
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