SIENA, se-5'na. The capital of the Province of Siena. in Tuscany. Italy, picturesquely situated on the crests of three hills, over 1000 feet above the sea, near the Elsa, 60 miles by rail south of Florence and only 30 miles in a straight line (Map: Italy. F 4). It is a delightful medieval city. The climate is salubrious, the weather, owing to the elevation. not being hot in summer. The town is irregularly built, with crooked, steep, and narrow streets, and retains its ancient walls. The centre of life in Siena is the fine Piazza del Campo, bordered by rich palaces. Of these struc tures the Palazzo I'ubblico and the Palazzo del Governo are the most The former is of was begun in 1289. combines Gothic with Renaissance features. The interior is cov ered with mural decorations. The Palazzo del Governo. dating from 1469, has an interesting facade and holds the important archives of Siena. The fine brick Gothic Bnonsignori Palace is also worthy of mention.
Siena is famous for its cathedral. This edifice, which is situated on the crowning point of the city, dates from the thirteenth century. It has a dome. a campanile, and is irregular in shape. Its Meade. begun in 1284 and planned by Gio vanni Pisano, is a far-famed rival of that of the Orvieto Cathedral. and is composed of black, and red marble, varied with profuse deco rations. The interior is also remarkable, its pavement with graffito scenes from biblical history being of exceptional interest. There are also in the eathedral a noteworthy portal, Donatello's bronze statue of John the Bap tist. and a rare pulpit by Niccola Pisan° and others. The splendid structure containing the cathedral library was built in 1495 and was decorated by Pinturicchio. The Church of San Giovanni is noteworthy. It was begun in the early fourteenth century and has an uncom pleted facade. The Oratorio di San Bernardino
is important for its pictures by Sodoma. In San Domenico is the Chapel of Saint Catharine of Siena, where the head of the saint is supposed to lie in a reliquary. In the Fontegiusta Church is a splendid high altar.
Siena is a lively trading and manufacturing town, weaving being the conspicuous industry. Cloth, silk, velvet, and furniture are exported. The university was famous in the :Middle Ages. but now has only two faculties—one of law, and one of medicine and surgery. The Reale Collegio Tolomei ( lyceum) deserves to he mentioned. The institute of fine arts is notable for its early Sienese specimens. The Opera del Duomo also possesses an art collection. The school of arts and trades was founded in 1876. The public library, dating from 1663, contains 75.000 vol umes and 500 manuscripts. The population in 1901 was 28,355.
IltsTouv. Siena (Lat. Sena Julia and Polonia Seniensis) was made a Roman colony in the time of Augustus. The city roe to great importance in the Middle Ages. The people wrested the governing power from the nobles in the twelfth century. The city became a Ghibelline strong hold, and in 1260 its citizens defeated the Guelphs of Florence at Monte Aperto. A few years later, however, it was forced by Charles of Anjou to join the league of the Guelph cities of Tuscany. It was at the height of its pros-. perity at the time of the Renaissance. In 1557 it was annexed to the Florentine dominions. In the history of art from 1200 to 1500 Siena stands in the front rank among Italian cities. Consult: Andreucci, Siena e lrr sua prorinria (Siena, 1886) : Richter, Ricna (Leipzig. 1901) ; Douglas, History of Siena (London, 1902).