Via di Città & Banchi di Sopra
Via di Città & Banchi di Sopra features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Siena. Give it roughly ~45 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type historic
- Suggested visit ~45 min
- Siena Siena guide
About Via di Città & Banchi di Sopra
The great curved spine of Siena's historic centre, Via di Città and Banchi di Sopra form the main corso of the medieval city, lined with Gothic and Renaissance palaces including the Palazzo Chigi-Saracini and linking Piazza del Campo to the northern terzo.
Via di Città and its continuation Banchi di Sopra form the main pedestrian artery of Siena's historic centre, a gently curving strada that follows the ridge of the central hill from north to south, connecting the Cathedral district with Piazza del Campo and the northern quarter of the city. The street is lined on both sides by medieval and Renaissance palaces, many of them still privately owned or home to Sienese institutions.
The most important building on Via di Città is the Palazzo Chigi-Saracini, a magnificent Gothic palace whose exterior curve follows the line of the street. Built in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries and progressively expanded, it has been the home of the Accademia Musicale Chigiana since 1932, an internationally renowned music academy that runs summer courses for advanced musicians and an annual concert season. The palace's piano nobile contains a remarkable collection of Sienese paintings and sculpture, including works by Sassetta and Sodoma.
Did you know? The Banchi di Sopra takes its name from the exchange benches (banchi) of the Sienese banking families who conducted their business along this street in the 13th and 14th centuries, when Siena's banks were among the most important financial institutions in Europe, providing loans to kings, popes, and merchants across the continent.
How long is a visit to Via di Città & Banchi di Sopra?
Set aside roughly ~45 min for Via di Città & Banchi di Sopra. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Via di Città & Banchi di Sopra worth your time?
Via di Città & Banchi di Sopra is among the 20 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Siena, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Siena
Hear the story of Via di Città & Banchi di Sopra
Preview the Siena tour free in the Gingerguide app.