Saena Iulia is the name that the ancient Romans gave to a military colony they founded in southern Tuscany. A reference to the origins of the town of the Palio is to be found also in its coat of arms, or balzana: a black-and-white shield with a she-wolf suckling Senius and Ascanius, Remus` children.

Actually, in the same place where the Romans settled their colony has been found evidence of pre-existing Etruscan settlements.

In the Middle Ages Siena grew in importance, partly due to the fact that it was situated along the road that led to Rome: the Via Francigena, which in the past was also called Via Francesca, Romea or Franchigena, started from Canterbury and arrived to the town of Popes via Siena.

With birth and development of the first urban centres (the so-called "comuni") Siena became a sworn enemy of Florence.
The rivalry between Siena and Florence has been immortalized in popular sayings, such as "Quando Siena piange, Firenze ride" (when Siena cries, Florence laughs).

In 1260 the Sienese Ghibelline army defeated the Florentine Guelph one in the battle of Montaperti; then it was defeated nine years later, in 1269, in the battle of Colle Val d`Elsa; the Republic of Siena eventually surrendered in 1555 after a siege by the troops of Charles V.

Renting a villa or a farmhouse in Siena you will have the opportunity to re-live the history of the town.