Experience in Siena, Italy by Nicolò

What is it like to live in Siena? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

The city of Siena it’s a medium size city. It’s multicultural, because there are a lot of tourists, and foreign students during the year, especially in the spring season. It’s very easy to visit, you can go by walk to the city center. I had lived for five years in a flat near my University and 5-6 minutes far from the center: "Il Campo Square". The city offers a good balance between students needs and entertainment activities. There are a lot of green areas where you can go for a walk or train yourself. One of them is near the Siena Court House and the Bus Station.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Siena?

In Siena, you can study, have a break and admire nature. It’s possible from to a place to another without a car, by walk or by bus. It’s forbidden to go into the city center by car; only the citizens of Siena can. There are libraries where Students can study or make researches.

How much does it cost to live in Siena?

Living in Siena, unfortunately, it’s not cheap as you imagine. The rent can be between 500-600 euros per month for a room, and in some few cases, there isn’t in proper conditions. However, you can also find at the same price a flat or a room very good and with all the comfort requires. University programmes are very appreciated. You can choose between human or science studies, you can reach the highest levels of educations, do masters or Erasmus exchange students programmes, Ph. D. study courses, Italian State Bar Exams, etc.. My University and the University in general, had developed courses taught in English.

In my long life living in Siena, I met international and European students, I made international friendships and I empowered my cv. There are also language courses for foreign students from beginners to experts with public or private lessons, into and out of the University, according to the Europen Common Framework of Languages. For all the services previously mentioned, the University taxes are higher than the other Tuscan Universities but perfectly manageable.

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Is it difficult to find accommodation in Siena? Is there any advice you can give?

It is not difficult to find accommodation in Siena. I personally recommend, before choosing an accommodation in Siena, at first to look through all the offers they have in person and keep in touch with someone from Siena or who had lived there, second, on the internet. It's a long process but it's worth it. In that way, you can avoid problems.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

In the city of Siena you can easily find a good mixture of Tuscan typical food and the dishes of the place. You can eat "Bruschetta bread", a typical Tuscan bread, while you're drinking wines such as "Brunello di Montalcino" y "Chianti" etc. In Siena, there are two famous dishes made by pasta: "Pici all'aglione" and "Pici Cheese and Pere". The first dish was made by garlic and fresh tomatoes sauce with the typical and traditional pasta of Siena's cookery: Pici. The second one they used the same pasta but with a different sauce: Cheese and Pear. According to the tourist's opinion, they are both delicious.

What places would you recommend visiting in Siena?

There are a lot of places where you can visit or stay for a vacation or for a long term time period. They have the " Tolomei's Garden", a beautiful botanical garden near the Law School, with a variety of plants and flowers.

There is also " The Franci Music School Academy" nearby the Saint Aghata's cantine: a classical music teaching preparing the future musicians. " Il Campo Square" it's the heart of Siena where tourists visit for photos, selfies or souvenirs and all around it's full of restaurants, bars, gift shops, ice cream shops, etc. You can admire The " Mangia Tower" at the top of the Town Hall and the square is well known for the "Palio Race" with horses on the 2nd of July and August 16th.

If you're an art, music lover Siena has something you're looking for: The "Congrega dei Rozzi".

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"The congrega dei Rozzi" founded by a group of craftsmen in 1531 and transformed into an academy in 1690 was, in particular in the nineteenth century, one of the most prestigious cultural institutions of Siena.

The "Duomo of Siena" where you can admire the floor which is available for tourists in schedules period of years: from August 18th to October 27th. The magnificent complex of the Duomo of Siena includes a series of monuments among the most significant in the European artistic panorama. The cathedral, with more than one million visitors each year, undoubtedly represents the fulcrum from which each further deepening is made, but the crypt, the Baptistery and the Museum of the Opera are also a decisive part of the complex, inserted in the same Large size consisting of the "Duomo Vecchio" and the "Duomo Nuovo". A memorable journey to discover oneself and the truths of faith through culture and art, a result of more than a millennium of Western history.

Is it good to eat out in Siena? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Eat in Siena it is very good, there are plenty of restaurants, bars, self- services food delivery. I personally suggest a delightful restaurant near "The Duomo Cathedral" called "Taverna del Capitano". It is an old style tavern where you can taste the traditional food of Siena and Tuscan food in general. There is a wide variety of Tuscan meat. They are prepared and it doesn't cost too much. The restaurant is located in "via del Capitano n. 6".

Another place is "The Cavallino Bianco"/ Fast Food and Restaurant. It's a good balance between good food and a reasonable price. They have pasta, pizza and every kind of vegetables. The restaurant/fast food it's in "via di città", 0, 1 Km far from the City Center.

Is the nightlife good in Siena? Where is good to go?

I personally don't have too much information about that, but I can mention "The Tea Room" in "via Della Giustizia" near the "Giustizia Gate". The "Tea Room" it's a sophisticated and simple establishment with a lounge atmosphere. You can taste different qualities of tea like Incas, American and eat traditional crafts made cakes.

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What advice would you give future students heading to Siena?

"The Bright Music Festival" is a yearly celebration in " Il Campo Square" from the 28th to the 30th of September. It is plenty of food, stands about art, literature, science, workshops, etc. You can easily enjoy the night with the music bands and tribute bands. The target of the music festival is crowdfunding for University research and improve an international and multidisciplinary approach teaching.