La Fortezza Medicea: the heart of Siena

The “Fortezza Medicea”, also known as “Forte di Santa Barbara”, is one of the greatest attractions in Siena. It is a former fortress constructed in 1561 by the architect Baldassarre Lanci, ordered by the Duke of Florence, Cosimo I de’ Medici. The reason of its central position is mainly historical since, over the course of XVI century, it was used to control the city during the fights against the Spanish.

Currently, the building hosts several events, such as temporary artistic exhibitions, tastings, musical concerts and so on. What strikes the most about this place surely is its quiet and peace: the little paths surrounding the fort seem perfect for a mid-afternoon walk and they offer breathtaking views of great part of the city. It is also used for sport, since there are many exercise equipment to practice and a lot of space to jog.

The external part of the fortress is also interesting, being surrounded by wonderful gardens, such as Lizza or fortress gardens, and by the “Franchi” stadium.