;       

SIENA and SAN GIMIGNANO

are medieval towns. Siena, too, is home of the famous

Il Palio, which takes place twice a year in the summer.

Once a rival  of Florence,  the city-state was proud,

wealthy, and  independent  during the Middle Ages,

until its final defeat by Florence. Here one can enter the

sanctuary of St. Catherine and see the miraculous

Crucifix (late 12th century) from which the saint

received her stigmata. Though known as a medieval town, it

mostly is a town of art.  Students saySan Gimignano

is home to the best gelato and pizza in the world.