San francesco church route

ROUTE FROM SIENA TO SAN FRANCESCO CHURCH (half a day)

Once in Piazza Tolomei, you turn into Via Cecco Angiolieri. You pass the little church of the Contrada della Civetta (it is recognisable because of the coat of arm of the contrada, an owl, over the entrance and the little bell in the wall) and you enter Castellare degli Ugurgeri through Vicolo del Castellare. It is the only example of still recognizable fortified mansion in town. Going round it and walking along Via Bandini for a while, you arrive on Piazza Provenzano dominated by the St Maria in Provenzano’s church. This keeps the painting of the Madonna di Provenzano related to the palio of July 2nd run in honour of this image. The contradaioli with the won palio arrive here on each July 2nd to show their gratefulness to the Blessed Virgin of Provenzano. From Via Sallustio Bandini walking along Via del Refe Nero you arrive in Via dei Rossi. Turning to the right, you will be on your way to S. Francesco’s church. This preserves some paintings and frescoes dating back to the Middle Ages together with later canvases. The square is also overlooked by the Oratorio di S. Bernardino which houses the Museo Diocesano d’Arte Sacra.