Make your way through Siena's dazzling maze of narrow cobblestone streets while taking in its fascinating and colorful history on a walking tour. Founded as an Etruscan settlement, by 1100 Siena had become a powerful city-state, thanks to its strong military, and thriving banking and trading industries. Throughout the following centuries, the Republic of Siena became an important center of Medieval and Renaissance art and scholarship, influencing artists throughout Italy and Europe alike. Your walk begins in Siena's famous 13th-century Piazza del Campo, the stunning main square, where the famous Palio horse race is still held bi-annually during the summer. Here, I’ll outline the city's rich history while sharing anecdotes and pointing out the square’s main attractions including the Palazzo Pubblico, Siena’s Town Hall, with its majestic bell tower. This tour includes a brief stop outside the oldest bank headquarters in the world, the Monte dei Paschi di Siena bank, founded in 1472. We'll end in front of the Duomo, one of the most impressive examples of Italian Gothic architecture in Italy.