SIENA
Its still intact medieval structure and the surrounding rolling hills make Siena a jewel of Tuscany, and of Italy as a whole.
The heart of the city represented by the famous Piazza del Campo, which with its particular shell shape, is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. Siena and weddings seem an almost inseparable combination: few places lend themselves to framing the most beautiful day as does the city of the famous Palio di Siena.
CIVIL WEDDING
The Sienese place of choice for the celebration of civil marriages is the Sala del Concistoro of the Palazzo Pubblico, the Town Hall and overlooking the spectacular Piazza del Campo.
The building boasts a long and rich history, having, over the centuries, represented the centre of city politics. The beautiful fifteenth-century door that gives access to the room, perhaps the work of Rossellino, wonderfully renders the idea of the majestic and severe environment in which one is entering, embellished with artistic masterpieces that contribute to creating an atmosphere of great beauty.
Until 2016 this was the only place where it was possible to marry civilly in Siena, but now couples can also use the Sala di Palazzo Patrizi, the Loggia dei Nove, the Teatro dei Rinnovati, the Medici Fortress and the Biblioteca Comunale degli Intronati, all prestigious venues affording the maximum expression of the best Sienese style.
Regarding the costs; citizens resident or born in Siena are exempted from any payment (only one of the couple is sufficient to qualify), while for non-residents and visitors from other countries the prices depend according to the location chosen.
RELIGIOUS WEDDINGS
To exchange the promises of love in an ancient, intimate church, that recalls the atmosphere of other times, is the desire of many people: Siena is able to offer this by making its most fascinating sacred places available to the lovers.
The Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta is the city’s cathedral, the most important religious building. Dating back to the Middle Ages, the interiors, combined with the dome and the bell tower, form an architectural complex of great value and constitute one of the best examples of the Italian Romanesque-Gothic style.
The white marble façade with the alternation of typical green and red Siena colours is characteristic, an unforgettable sight, as well as the famous works of art that are preserved there, signed by the likes of Michelangelo, Donatello, Bernini and Pinturicchio. The Baptistery of San Giovanni, located under the final stages of the choir, with its signed decor by Della Quercia, Ghiberti and Donatello is also a masterpiece of the sacred art of our country.
The ancient Church of San Francesco is in perfect Romanesque style, sober and essential, consisting of a vast single nave with a beautiful trussed ceiling; inside you will find what is defined as a “miracle”, or at least as an inexplicable phenomenon, or rather the Pyx with the sacred particles, Hosts consecrated in the distant 1730 and still perfectly intact.
The Basilica of San Domenico, with adjoining convent, also dates back to the Middle Ages, a period of maximum splendour for the city. Two essential the points of great visual and emotional impact are present in this fourteenth-century structure, namely the relics of Santa Caterina of Siena and the gaunt and beautiful façade. The so-called Cappella delle Volte completes the building, which according to tradition is the place where the venerated Catholic saint would have performed some of her best-known miracles.
And it is to her that the sanctuary that incorporates the house where she was born is dedicated. In fact, Catherine Benincasa saw the light in this old house located in the alley of the Tiratoio, which still retains some of its most important aspects and is absolutely worth visiting.
In the heart of the Val d’Orcia, on the road that leads to Pienza, is the tiny Chapel of Vitaleta. That in the middle of the open countryside in which it stands out, looks like a small beacon of light on a sea of hills: this very simple looking and profoundly mystical building is a symbol of the place and designated so significant as to be protected by UNESCO.
It can be accessed by motorbike or by walking along a dirt road; the atmosphere of romanticism that pervades the entire area results in it being chosen by many lovers for their proposal of marriage.
WEDDING VENUE (RECEPTION)
A city so popular as regards the celebration of weddings cannot help but live up to expectations with regarding locations suitable for the reception. And Siena certainly does not disappoint, having numerous restaurants and hotels able to satisfy any taste and need.
The locations in and around Siena are too numerous to mention them all. So, for reasons of space, we have listed and described only some of the most famous and appreciated.
How about a beautiful setting with a privileged view of the city? This is what the Garden Hotel Siena offers, as well as providing cuisine that will delight the palate of every guest. Everyone will be amazed by the refinement of the eighteenth-century salons and the view that you can admire from the terrace, perhaps while enjoying an excellent aperitif. The hotel staff will be happy to help the wedding couple organise the event while taking care of every little detail with them.
The Volte di Vico Bello can be found a short distance from the centre of Siena: you will immediately be fascinated by this beautiful building of the 1500’s surrounded by a lush park with a view of the city. The elegant interiors are perfect for receptions and gala dinners. The structure has two small renovated apartments where guests can stay for a few days.
When we refer to the thousand wonders of Siena we also mean those of its surrounding area; in Pienza is the country house Dimora Buonriposo, a romantic place full of history in the green heart of the Val d’Orcia. The restaurant is housed in a sixteenth-century stone and wooden house built in typical Sienese style, complete with terrace and gardens. Here you can taste typical Tuscan cuisine and elaborate, with the help of the staff, a menu that is more than able to satisfy your guests.
There is a farm in Sinalunga where you can organise an out of the ordinary wedding reception, in a location wholly immersed in the countryside, with all its colours, sounds and suggestiveness that certainly will amaze your relatives and friends. We are talking about the Tenuta La Fratta, equipped with fully functional areas of ancient charm and surrounded by 400 hectares of land. If the season allows, would you like an outdoor banquet? It would be a delightful thing to do bordered by old trees that will also give you shelter from the heat and the sun. Would you prefer an indoor banquet, especially if you marry in the autumn or winter? It will be equally pleasant to organise it in the restaurant, a perfect place to fully experience the typical farm atmosphere of the early twentieth century.
Since 2015 it has been possible to hold wedding receptions at Villa Chiatina in Buonconvento, near the Abbey of Monte Oliveto Maggiore. Ancient and panoramic, the building is actually an old medieval dwelling (IX century) recently renovated and equipped with every modern comfort. Nothing has taken away its centuries-old charm. There is also the possibility of setting up a buffet and/or serving aperitifs in the Italian style garden with stunning views of Montalcino.
There are more and more couples who for their wedding reception, at the classic restaurant, prefer the rustic and genuine appeal of a farm. The agriturismo Croce di Bibbiano farmhouse near Poggibonsi, in the heart of the Chianti region, is indeed a suggestive location, especially for those who love the timeless charm of the countryside, the greenery and all that the rural world can offer. A relaxing and welcoming atmosphere will envelop your guests, who will be struck by the beauty of the towers of San Gimignano, perfectly visible from the property. This farm uses a highly specialised catering service.
For those who love country weddings, genuine food and the warmth of the family that is only really found there, they will undoubtedly discover it within the boundaries of the Terre di Nano, a structure located among the verdant hills of the Val d’Orcia and with a privileged view of the surrounding medieval villages. The staff of Terre di Nano, with professionalism and competence, will help you to organise your wedding reception in a rural-romantic-chic style; definitely an unforgettable experience for everyone.
Villa Pienza, near the town of the same name, consists of two structures.
One, Villa Romantica, is an enchanting home expertly restored respecting its originality, located in the countryside of Pienza; it has 6 bedrooms with private bathrooms. The renovation has kept the typical atmosphere of Tuscan country houses intact, to which have been added touches of decor that enhance its charm and beauty. Wood and stone, two timeless materials, are the absolute masters of the complex, but it is also equipped with the best of modern comforts. The renovation of the villa that was once reduced to ruin has required a substantial project, practically and financially, but it has been a resounding success, a home where the charm of the past mixes perfectly with the comforts of the present. Starting from the large fireplace in the living room, around which there are several sofas, everything is warm and extremely welcoming. You can admire the allure of the Val d’Orcia from the small and enchanting terrace.
The second one, Villa Privata, is a typical, comfortable and warm Tuscan country house. Tradition and modernity are perfectly mixed here to create a decidedly captivating effect: the rusticity of the terracotta, wood and warm colours that characterise the interior opens up to the extraordinary amenities of the Val d’Orcia. The furniture has been carefully selected and is in harmony with the environment, which gives a feeling of relaxation and joy.
In Pienza (and throughout Tuscany) eating well is not difficult, but La Bandita Townhouse is a restaurant that stands out not only for its particularly pleasant environment, being the result of careful restoration but also for the type of cuisine proposed: few dishes but of the highest quality. Here you can taste typical dishes of the area, cooked impeccably, and served with kindness and a great sense of hospitality.
The Bandita Countryhouse is instead a sophisticated refuge that combines in itself the merits of an elegant villa and those of a refined country hotel, equipped with all the best that both can offer. This structure, recovered from an old abandoned farm, is located in the middle of the Val d’Orcia, from which it offers a spectacular 360 ° view. The interiors are bright, spacious and modern, while outside you can set up banquets for both lunch and dinner.
A few kilometres from Asciano stands the ancient Podere Finerri – The Lazy Olive Villa transformed into a hotel villa divided into 5 self-catering apartments with a total of 11 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms and 5 living rooms/kitchen that in total can accommodate 22 to 25 people.
The structure, which maintains all the charm of the past is, however, extremely comfortable as a result of its facilities and services, both private and public. You can enjoy a breath-taking view of the Valle dell’Ombrone.
The geographical area in which Asciano is located is called Crete Senesi because of the clay, which gives the soil its characteristic greyish colour. Unlike the rest of Tuscany, here the countryside is not so much characterized by the vineyards and olive groves, of which there are very few, but for the long expanses of crops. Occasionally interrupted by short rows of cypresses and by a cottage here or there; the typical grey earth formations of the area, contribute to render the landscape of this spectacular corner of central Italy unique.
LOCATION WEDDING PHOTO
All you have to do to take memorable photos on your wedding day in Siena is walk and weave through the narrow streets of the city. They are not the easiest to move along but walking through them is the only truly effective way to fully experience the true Sienese beauty, made of glimpses and ancient corners that open onto squares and buildings that are impossible to forget.
Speaking of squares: you do not want to miss the enchanting scenery of Piazza del Campo, right?
Let yourselves be immortalised in this great “shell” that every day welcomes tourists and ecstatic students, where time seems to have stopped and almost crystallised in an environment that over a distance of centuries maintains, unchanged, the seduction that the Middle Ages still exercises on us.
A photo whose background consists of the Torre del Mangia, to be framed or kept jealously in your album, cannot be overlooked.
The same applies for the Duomo, for the Baptistery of San Giovanni, for Fontebranda, for Palazzo Piccolomini and the Cappella di Piazza.
Finally, in Val d’Orcia, do not miss one of the most beautiful natural locations in the world, the famous Cipressi di San Quirico.
In the locality of Triboli, you will find two groups of cypresses: one forms a grove and the other runs along the path that leads to the hill.
It is almost a natural boundary that divides the Val d’Ombrone from the Val d’Orcia and is a fascinating scene of beauty that only nature can provide. Not to be missed.
Also not to be missed is the famous Teatro degli Arrischianti in Sarteano, located inside the Palazzo Comunale, which fully preserves the eighteenth-century structure intact.
In fact, the Arrischianti was an Academy founded in 1731, when the theatre was restored in the guise under which it still appears.
After a more recent artistic and functional renovation, this theatre, since 2000, has returned to be the fulcrum from which the cultural life of the city unfolds.
FAMOUS WEDDINGS
Many VIPs have surrendered to the magic of Siena and have chosen it as the setting for their wedding.
In the summer of 2016, Ferrari driver Kimi Raikkonen and Minttu Virtanen, opted for the Abbey of San Galgano for their wedding and to exchange their fateful promises.
Another internationally renowned sportsman, this time a footballer, married his wife in the surroundings of Siena, in Castel Monastero: we are talking about Wesley Sneijder and Yolanthe Cabau, happily married in 2010 during a romantic ceremony with lots of arches of roses and numerous valets.
In 2015 it was the turn of another football player, Fabio Borini, who said yes to model Erin O’Neill in the rolling hills of Siena.
On the 2nd. June 2014, in Borgo San Felice, showgirl Elena Santarelli and Bernardo Corradi, also a footballer, were joined in marriage.
