# Siena

> city in Tuscany, Italy and capital of the province of Siena

**Wikidata**: [Q2751](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q2751)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Siena)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/siena

## Summary
Siena is a historic city in Tuscany, Italy, and the capital of the Province of Siena. Known for its medieval architecture, cultural heritage, and role as the former capital of the Republic of Siena (1125–1555), it is a significant urban center with a population of 52,812 (as of 2023) and an area of 118.53 km².

## Key Facts
- **Location and Geography**: Siena is located in Tuscany, Italy, at coordinates 43.3183°N, 11.3314°E, with an elevation of 322 meters above sea level. It spans 118.53 km² and is bordered by Asciano, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Monteroni d'Arbia, Sovicille, and Monteriggioni.
- **Population**: As of 2023, Siena has a population of 52,812, down from 53,901 in 2018 and 53,853 in 2016.
- **Historical Significance**: Founded by Senius and Aschius (legendary figures), Siena was the capital of the Republic of Siena from 1125 to 1555. It became part of Italy in 1861.
- **Governance**: Siena is a *comune* (municipality) in Italy, governed by a mayor, and serves as the capital of the Province of Siena.
- **Cultural and Architectural Landmarks**: Owns notable sites like Santa Maria della Scala, Fortezza Medicea, and Stadio Artemio Franchi. The Historic Centre of Siena is a UNESCO-recognized area.
- **Time Zone**: Operates on UTC+01:00 (standard time) and UTC+02:00 (daylight saving time).
- **Economy and Identification**: The city has an ISTAT code of 052032, a postal code of 53100, and a local dialing code of 0577. Its VAT number is IT00050800523.
- **International Relations**: Twinned with Avignon (France, since 1961), Weimar (Germany, since 1994), Wetzlar (Germany), L'Aquila (Italy), Buffalo (USA), Bernalda (Italy), and Cetinje (Montenegro).
- **Demonym**: Residents are called *senesi* (masculine plural).
- **Patron Saint**: Ansanus is the patron saint of Siena.
- **Seismic Classification**: Siena is classified as seismic zone 3 (moderate risk).
- **Digital Presence**: Official website: [comune.siena.it](https://www.comune.siena.it/) (Italian). Active on platforms like Wikipedia (129 language editions), Wikimedia Commons, and social media (Facebook location ID: 105751109465081).

## FAQs

**What is the historical significance of Siena?**
Siena was the capital of the independent Republic of Siena from 1125 to 1555, a major medieval city-state in Italy. It played a key role in Tuscan politics and culture before being incorporated into the Grand Duchy of Tuscany and later the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

**What are the key landmarks in Siena?**
Notable landmarks include the Historic Centre of Siena (a UNESCO site), Santa Maria della Scala (a historic hospital and museum), Fortezza Medicea (a 16th-century fortress), and Stadio Artemio Franchi (a sports stadium). The city is also famous for its Piazza del Campo, depicted in the image [PiazzadelCampoSiena.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/PiazzadelCampoSiena.jpg).

**How is Siena governed?**
Siena is a *comune* (municipality) in Italy, governed by a mayor (*sindaco*). It is the capital of the Province of Siena and part of the Tuscany region. The city has its own coat of arms and flag, symbols of its historical and administrative identity.

**What is the population and area of Siena?**
As of 2023, Siena has a population of 52,812. The city covers an area of 118.53 km², with coordinates ranging from 43.2499°N to 43.3663°N latitude and 11.2300°E to 11.4286°E longitude.

**What are Siena’s international relationships?**
Siena is twinned with several cities, including Avignon (France, since 1961), Weimar (Germany, since 1994), Wetzlar (Germany), L'Aquila (Italy), Buffalo (USA), Bernalda (Italy), and Cetinje (Montenegro). These partnerships reflect cultural and historical ties.

**What is the economic and administrative status of Siena?**
Siena has an ISTAT municipal code (052032), a VAT number (IT00050800523), and a seismic classification of 3. It is a college town and a hub for tourism, education, and local governance.

**What languages and cultural references are associated with Siena?**
Siena is referenced in 129 Wikipedia language editions, including Italian, English, French, German, Spanish, and Japanese. It appears in encyclopedias like *Brockhaus and Efron*, *Encyclopædia Britannica*, and *Treccani’s Enciclopedia Italiana*.

## Why It Matters
Siena is a living museum of medieval Italian culture, architecture, and governance. As the former capital of the Republic of Siena, it played a pivotal role in the political and artistic development of Tuscany. Its preserved historic center, UNESCO-recognized landmarks, and traditions like the Palio di Siena (a historic horse race) make it a global cultural heritage site. The city’s twinning agreements and international recognition underscore its enduring influence in European history and tourism. Additionally, Siena’s status as a college town and administrative hub ensures its continued relevance in modern Italy.

## Notable For
- **Medieval Republic**: Capital of the Republic of Siena (1125–1555), a powerful Italian city-state.
- **UNESCO Historic Centre**: Home to a UNESCO-listed historic center with Gothic architecture.
- **Cultural Landmarks**: Owns Santa Maria della Scala, Fortezza Medicea, and Stadio Artemio Franchi.
- **Legendary Founding**: Mythologically founded by Senius and Aschius, sons of Remus.
- **Twinning Agreements**: Partnered with seven international cities, including Avignon and Weimar.
- **Demographic Stability**: Population has remained around 53,000 for the past decade.
- **Seismic Resilience**: Classified in seismic zone 3, indicating moderate earthquake risk.
- **Multilingual Presence**: Featured in 129 Wikipedia language editions and numerous encyclopedias.
- **Patron Saint**: Ansanus, a key figure in local religious tradition.
- **Flag and Coat of Arms**: Distinctive symbols representing its historical identity.

## Body

### History and Founding
Siena’s origins are steeped in legend, attributed to Senius and Aschius, sons of Remus (of Romulus and Remus fame). Historically, it emerged as a significant settlement by the 12th century, becoming the capital of the Republic of Siena in 1125. The republic thrived until 1555, when it fell to the Medici-led Grand Duchy of Tuscany. Siena officially became part of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861.

### Geography and Demographics
Siena is situated in the heart of Tuscany, covering 118.53 km² with an elevation of 322 meters. Its coordinates span from 43.2499°N to 43.3663°N latitude and 11.2300°E to 11.4286°E longitude. The city is bordered by Asciano, Castelnuovo Berardenga, Monteroni d'Arbia, Sovicille, and Monteriggioni. As of 2023, the population is 52,812, slightly declining from 53,901 in 2018.

### Governance and Administration
Siena is a *comune* (municipality) within the Province of Siena, governed by a mayor. It holds administrative codes such as:
- **ISTAT ID**: 052032
- **Postal Code**: 53100
- **Local Dialing Code**: 0577
- **VAT Number**: IT00050800523
- **Licence Plate Code**: SI

The city is classified as a seismic zone 3, indicating moderate earthquake risk.

### Cultural and Architectural Landmarks
Siena is renowned for its historic landmarks:
- **Historic Centre of Siena**: A UNESCO-recognized area with medieval streets and Gothic buildings.
- **Santa Maria della Scala**: A former hospital and current museum complex.
- **Fortezza Medicea**: A 16th-century fortress built after the fall of the republic.
- **Stadio Artemio Franchi**: A sports stadium named after a local figure.
- **Piazza del Campo**: A iconic shell-shaped square, central to the city’s identity.

### International Relations
Siena maintains twinning agreements with:
- **Avignon, France** (since 1961)
- **Weimar, Germany** (since 1994)
- **Wetzlar, Germany**
- **L'Aquila, Italy**
- **Buffalo, USA**
- **Bernalda, Italy**
- **Cetinje, Montenegro**

These partnerships reflect cultural exchanges and historical connections.

### Digital and Academic Presence
Siena is extensively documented across platforms:
- **Wikipedia**: 129 language editions, including Italian, English, French, German, and Japanese.
- **Wikimedia Commons**: Features images like [PiazzadelCampoSiena.jpg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/PiazzadelCampoSiena.jpg) and [Flag_of_Siena.svg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Siena.svg).
- **Encyclopedias**: Referenced in *Brockhaus and Efron*, *Encyclopædia Britannica*, *Treccani’s Enciclopedia Italiana*, and *The Nuttall Encyclopædia*.
- **Academic Identifiers**: Includes ISNI (0000000106746522), VIAF (239842096), and Library of Congress ID (n79013822).

### Symbols and Identity
Siena’s identity is represented by:
- **Flag**: [Flag_of_Siena.svg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Flag_of_Siena.svg)
- **Coat of Arms**: [Stemma_di_Siena.svg](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/Stemma_di_Siena.svg)
- **Demonym**: *Senesi* (masculine plural)
- **Patron Saint**: Ansanus

### Economic and Social Role
As a college town, Siena hosts educational institutions and cultural events. Its economy is driven by tourism, local governance, and historical preservation. The city’s official website ([comune.siena.it](https://www.comune.siena.it/)) provides administrative services and cultural information.

### Notable Events and Depictions
Siena is depicted in artworks like *Triumphal Entrance of Cosimo I de' Medici in Siena*, reflecting its historical ties to the Medici family. The city is also a filming location for various productions, categorized under [Category:Films shot in Siena](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Films_shot_in_Siena).

### Miscellaneous Identifiers
Siena is cataloged in numerous systems:
- **Geonames ID**: 6541466
- **OpenStreetMap Relation ID**: 42398
- **Getty Thesaurus of Geographic Names ID**: 7011179
- **World Historical Gazetteer Place ID**: 12802811
- **MusicBrainz Area ID**: e2f14058-37e8-45bd-9db0-2472deadbb3b

These identifiers facilitate its representation in digital and academic databases.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.avignon.fr/fr/ma-ville/culture-et-tourisme/jumelages/)
2. [Source](https://www.cetinje.me/cetinje/site_mne/public/index.php/index/artikli?id=40)
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. [Source](https://github.com/JohnMarkOckerbloom/ftl/blob/master/data/wikimap)
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Czech National Authority Database
7. MusicBrainz
8. [Source](http://demo.istat.it/bilmens2016gen/index02.html)
9. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2018. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2018/index3.html)
10. [Popolazione Residente al 1° Gennaio 2017. Italian National Institute of Statistics](http://demo.istat.it/pop2017/index3.html)
11. [Source](https://demo.istat.it/?l=it)
12. Flickr Shapefiles Public Dataset 2.0
13. GeoNames
14. [Superficie di Comuni Province e Regioni italiane al 9 ottobre 2011. Italian National Institute of Statistics](https://www.istat.it/it/archivio/156224)
15. Wiki Loves Monuments Italia
16. Aligned ISNI and Ringgold identifiers for institutions
17. [Source](https://www.comune.siena.it/)
18. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
19. Name Suggestion Index
20. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
21. Seismic classification in Italy
22. [Source](https://rischi.protezionecivile.gov.it/it/sismico/attivita/classificazione-sismica)
23. Regional Database of the Central Bohemian Research Library in Kladno
24. museum-digital
25. Digital Scriptorium Catalog