This is the online version of an idiosyncratic and opinionated guide to places in the province of Siena easily reached from Barontoli (there is a paper copy at Casanuova). The guide has yet to be completed. We began preparing it about 15 or 20 years ago when there were few good guides to the area; for at any rate the better known places, it is now largely overtaken by many excellent new guides (eg the Rough Guide to Tuscany and Umbria). But we hope that people staying at Casanuova di Barontoli will nevertheless find it of some interest, especially for the smaller places near Barontoli, not all of which are in the standard guidebooks. It is not intended to be a comprehensive guide. On the basis that, if time is limited, it is better to look at a few things in a town, museum or church properly than to look at everything superficially, it describes only the objects that the author thinks of most interest. In particular, it tries to give a fair amount of detail when the enjoyment of a work of art may be enhanced by some knowledge of the story portrayed or the symbolism.

In Siena

Places within half an hour's drive of Barontoli

Places further afield

A brief chronology of Sienese history

Saints in Sienese art

As some of the entries were written some time ago and opening times etc change quite often, some of the practical details may be out of date.

© Sophia Lambert, 2004 and dates as shown in the text.