Fortezza Medicea, Tuscany Travel Guide

4.5 (11536)

Explore Siena's Fortezza Medicea: a historic fortress turned public park with stunning views, cultural events, and the Enoteca Italiana.

Home
Travel Guides
Italy
Tuscany
Fortezza Medicea

The Fortezza Medicea, also known as Forte di Santa Barbara, is a 16th-century fortress in Siena transformed into a public park in 1937. Built by Cosimo de' Medici between 1561 and 1563, it offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding hills. Today, it hosts cultural events and houses the Enoteca Italiana.

A brief summary to Fortezza Medicea

Piazza Caduti delle Forze Armate, Siena, Province of Siena, 53100, IT
Click to display

From Eve

Know before you go

Hi, I'm Eve. Here are a few practical things to know before exploring Fortezza Medicea.

Visit the Enoteca Italiana inside the fortress to sample a variety of Italian wines.
Walk along the fortress walls for panoramic views of Siena and the surrounding countryside.
Check the event schedule for concerts and cultural performances held in the amphitheater.
Combine your visit with a walk through the adjacent La Lizza gardens.

Do you manage this location?

Take control to get all the benefits, like improved information, better appearance, and stronger visibility across AI-powered discovery. Learn more

Activate your presence

Other nearby places you may find interesting

The closest places of the same kind, if this one is not quite what you had in mind.

Tuscany Ballooning Chianti launch

Diborrato Waterfall

Saraincammino by Sara Testi - Walks & Folks in Tuscany, Italy and beyond!

Truffle in Tuscany

Cisterna Romana

Explore Fortezza Medicea on the Map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots near Fortezza Medicea, mapped for you.

Getting There

Walking

From Piazza del Campo, walk north along Via di Città, then turn right onto Via Banchi di Sopra. Continue onto Via Giuseppe Mazzini, then turn left onto Viale Cesare Maccari. Turn right onto Piazza Caduti delle Forze Armate. The Fortezza Medicea will be on your right. The walk is approximately 15 minutes.
Public Transport

From Siena Train Station, take bus lines 3, 8, 10, 17, or 77 to Piazza del Sale. From there, follow the walking directions. A bus ticket costs €1.50 if purchased beforehand. Alternatively, from Piazza Gramsci, take the Pollicino bus.
Taxi

Taxis are available from the Siena Train Station and Piazza Indipendenza. A taxi ride from the train station to the Fortezza Medicea typically costs between €15-€17. Expect to pay more to get across town. Calling a taxi in Siena will cost €3.30 during the day and €5.50 during the night and on holidays.
Parking

If driving, use the public parking lot located along the western wall of the structure. This is one of the largest lots in the city. The car park Stadio-Fortezza costs €2.00/hour from 7 AM to 8 PM annually. Daily rate: €26.00.

Discover more about Fortezza Medicea

The Fortezza Medicea, or Medici Fortress, stands as a testament to Siena's complex history. Constructed between 1561 and 1563 under the commission of Cosimo I de' Medici, the fortress aimed to assert Florentine authority over the city after the Republic of Siena's defeat. Designed by Baldassarre Lanci, it occupies the site of a former defensive structure built by the Spanish, later destroyed by the Sienese people.Originally L-shaped, the fortress was redesigned into its current square layout with hexagonal bastions at each corner. The Medici coat of arms adorns three of these bastions, symbolizing their dominion. From the late 18th century, the fortress lost its military function, becoming a public park in 1937.Today, the Fortezza Medicea is a vibrant space for recreation and culture. Visitors can stroll along tree-lined avenues on top of the walls, enjoying stunning views. An amphitheater in the center hosts concerts and events, while the San Francesco bastion houses the Enoteca Italiana, promoting Italian wines. The fortress is open to the public and free to enter, offering a unique blend of history, scenery, and local life.