italian language school

Siena is a city of contrasts - from medieval treasures found within its historic walls to modern shops and facilities located around the city. Enjoy the tranquility found in the hidden back streets or experience Palio preparations, races and celebrations which go on in the main squares for over half a year. It is a small city but has a large student population (of both Italians and foreigners), meaning that there are plenty of places to go and things to do in your free time - from bars and clubs to restaurants and pizzerias; from theatres and cinemas to museums and art galleries.

Food and drinks come in all price ranges, from reasonably priced eateries to fine dining.
The following can be used as reference for food costs:
one loaf of bread: 1.40 euro;
250 gr. of butter: 1.40 euro;
one litre of milk: 1.30 euro;
one litre of mineral water: 30-50 cents;
one ca of Coke: 1.50;
one bottle of beer:1.80 euro
Complete lunch in an average restaurant will cost about 20.00/25.00 euro,
Typical italian breakfast of a pastry and coffee or cappuccino costs about 2,00 euro,
Delicious italian gelato (ice-cream) costs 1,70 euro.
If you feel like having a snack, there are plenty of cheap pizzerias, where a slice of pizza costs about 1.10 to 1.50 euro.

A local phone call costs 0.30 cents, and a cinema ticket will cost 6.00 euro.
A full cycle of washing, including drying, at the launderette, costs 6.00 euro.
Urban bus is 90 cents for a one-way trip, while a monthly pass will cost 24.00 euro.

It is an historic medieval city in the region of Tuscany, located in the north of Italy, and lying some 70 km (43 miles) south of Florence. It is probably best known for a colourful horse race, Il Palio, conducted twice each year in the summer. Siena is the most compact of the cities,It’s built on three ridges that radiate out from the Piazza del Campo, rather like some mysterious, theree-legged sea creatures long embedded in a rock. Each leg forms one of the “terzi” , or thirds , into which the city has tradionally been divided . Everything is then neatly enclosed within a ring of well-preserved medioval walls. Country: Italy,  Region: Tuscany, Province: Siena (SI), Mayor: Maurizio Cenni (since May 13, 2005), Elevation: 322 m, Area: 118 km², Population: 55.000, Density: 447/km², Time zone: CET, UTC+1, Coordinates : 43°20′N 11°20′E, Gentilic: Senesi, Dialing code: 0577, Postal code: 53100, 53010, Patron: St. Ansanus

As you will have seen, Siena has passed a long and fascinating journey through history, at times ruling majestically, both culturally and politically, at other times, being ruled over and oppressed by a long line of diverse nations and powers, each of which has left its mark on the Siena we see today. The town centre in the 21^st Century is largely indifferent to the centuries passed and the continuous stream of tourists and outside influences that have for years tried to penetrate the heart of this medieval jewel. The buildings that you can see as you walk the narrow cobbled streets are those that stood through French occupation, the wars against Florence and the Black Plague. The city throbs with history, the jealously-guarded history of a proud people whose hearts still beat with the same drum-beats as at the first Palio in the 13^th century….a people who would not think twice about fighting for the honour of their contrada….a people who still regard the twice-yearly Palio as sacred in its profanity. Nowadays, an outsider may be granted a glance at the heart of Siena and her people, may even be invited to join the celebrations, and will find in the Siennese a wonderfully hospitable people who are always willing to “add a place to the table” (a Siennese song sung during the Contrada dinners). But beware, that the Siennese are extremely over-protective of their city and her traditions, and it is not difficult to offend them beyond hope of ever re-compensating. All of Siena’s traditions need to be respected as you would a person. Siena has succeeded in keeping hold of all of her ancient characteristics – old buildings created for the heat of the Tuscan summer ( central heating only allowed by law during the official winter months), narrow roads, and tall houses, all helping to make Siena the Gothic dream that she has been for so long. The experience of walking through the city is enhanced by the lack of noteworthy traffic – officially a “no-traffic zone” Siena is a very safe city to wander around. But prepare for the amount of walking you’ll be doing; Siena is perched on the top of three hills! Siena’s position of 322m (1059ft) above sea level, means a slightly milder climate than neighbouring Florence, though throughout the summer months the temperature can still reach the 38-39°C (100°F). The winter months, however, can be very cold, reaching lows of 0°C (32°F), and as Italian houses are designed for hot summers, and central heating can be quite ineffective, it is worth bringing a lot of warm clothes for relaxing around the house. In the summer, however, you can get away with wearing very little! Be prepared, though, that when visiting churches and other holy buildings you may be refused entry if you are not fully covered up. It is worth sometimes carrying a sarong or similar item to ensure you are allowed in, and more importantly to respect the local customs. Being a University city, a lot of the bars throughout the town centre see some action at night, but the main evening attraction is the Piazza itself. Here the Siennese come to see and be seen in one of the many bars that line the square. People-watching has never been such an art form as here in Italy. During the summer the Piazza is packed with people, Siennese, students, tourists, all drinking, chatting, watching the evening roll by, content in the knowledge that tomorrow will bring the same entertainment as today, that nothing will ever really change, and that Siena is a safe haven in a world of development. Apart from the bars, and the Piazza, Siena boasts a fair number of cinemas for a city of her size, some of which host evenings of “original language films”. During the sultry, summer evenings it is also possible to watch the “Cinema sotto le Stelle” (Cinema under the stars) – the outdoor film event in the medieval Fortress which looks like a film-set itself. Getting around Siena by foot is very easy, due to her compact size. Bus services tend to be fairly frequent and reliable into a from town centre. You can find tickets in all Tabacchi shops, and they need to be stamped as you get on the bus……otherwise you risk a fine. Some people choose to cycle, and this is also a good way of getting from one end of the city to the other, though for short journeys, walking is preferable and easy. All-in-all, Siena is a unique city…..tiring in her many customs and very set in her ways. But she is also a fascinating lesson in the diversity of people, and completely unforgettable.