The Hidden Side of the City of the Palio
Siena is not only one of the best-preserved medieval cities in Europe; it is also a place where history and legend intertwine among narrow streets, enigmatic symbols, and stories passed down through the centuries. Walking through the historic center, all it takes is looking up or turning into a side alley to feel that something ancient is still watching.
Here are some of the most fascinating legends and mysteries of Siena, perfect for discovering the city from a different perspective.
The Sienese She-Wolf and the Myth of the City’s Origins
According to tradition, Siena was founded by Senio and Ascanio, the sons of Remus. Fleeing from Rome, they brought with them the symbol of the she-wolf who had nursed their father. This is the origin of the Sienese she-wolf, which still appears today on buildings, fountains, and civic emblems.
This legend is not merely decorative: it represents pride in the city’s Roman origins and the historic rivalry with Florence, which has always aligned itself with the myth of Romulus. A rivalry that, between history and legend, continues to this day.
The Number 17 and the Hidden Fear Inside the Cathedral
In Siena Cathedral, nothing is left to chance. Among marble floors, zodiac symbols, and enigmatic figures, one curious detail stands out: the absence of the number 17 in certain decorative references.
The reason lies in medieval superstition. The number 17 was considered unlucky because, written in Roman numerals (XVII), it can be rearranged to form VIXI, meaning “I have lived” — in other words, “I am dead.” A small detail that enhances the cathedral’s mysterious atmosphere and reveals how closely faith and superstition were intertwined.
Alleys, Ghosts, and Nocturnal Presences
Siena is famous for its winding alleys and sudden openings onto quiet little squares. At night, however, these places seem to tell even more stories. According to popular legends, restless souls still wander near ancient noble palaces and monasteries.
Among the areas most often mentioned are Via delle Sperandie and certain sections of the city walls, where people claim to hear footsteps and whispers during the quietest hours. Reality or suggestion? In Siena, the boundary is always thin.
Fonte Gaia: Beauty and Dark Legends
Fonte Gaia, in Piazza del Campo, is a symbol of joy and prosperity. Yet here too, as often happens in Siena, beauty conceals a more enigmatic side.
Some popular tales speak of hidden symbols in the original decorations and of ancient beliefs linked to water, an extremely precious resource in medieval times. The city’s water supply was so vital that it was surrounded by respect, fear, and superstition.
The Palio Between Ritual, Faith, and Superstition
The Palio di Siena is not just a horse race; it is a collective ritual filled with symbols, ancient gestures, and superstitions. Each Contrada preserves traditions, objects, and rituals that precede the race and are handed down from generation to generation.
Blessings of the horses, colors worn with devotion, unwritten rules, and deep rivalries turn the Palio into something far beyond a spectacle. For many Sienese, it is a moment when the sacred and the profane meet, leaving room for fate.
Siena, a City to Be Listened To
The legends of Siena are not simple stories meant to entertain visitors; they are part of the city’s identity. They live on in symbols carved into stone, in the silence of the streets at sunset, and in the pride of the Contrade.
Visiting Siena also means listening to these stories, letting curiosity lead the way, and accepting that not everything needs a rational explanation. Because in Siena, sometimes, mystery is part of the journey.
