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Let's get this party started
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Sometimes I wonder whether the Monte dei Paschi fiasco and Siena's resulting financial crisis is a good thing. Okay, as a resident in Southern Tuscany I know only too well about the negative effects of the crisis of the world's oldest banks. However, if you observe closely, some positive aspects can be made out too. Like the new trade organisation, which has been founded in Siena by merchants and shop owners who want to help Palio town to get back on its feet. On their initiative Siena's museums, institutions, trade and cultural organisations have pulled together to organize the city's first NOTTE BIANCA.
The longest day of the year and the start of summer (not that it wasn't hot enough so far) will be celebrated in Siena with a wide selection of events.
The Santa Maria della Scala museum (including the Steve McCurry exhibition) and the Civic museum on piazza del Campo will stay open till midnight. So does Siena's cathedral, which also offers guided visits and classical concerts at the baptistery, crypt and OPA museum.
Or see Siena by night from the rooftop of its cathedral or from the facade of the never finished new cathedral, which is accessed via the OPA museum (booking is needed for these guided visits).
Not a friend of museum nights? Or already seen all of Siena's art by day? Just go shopping. Many of Siena's shops will be open till midnight and concerts and street bands can be found all through town.
NOTTE BIANCA IN SIENA - 21st of June 2013
For more information and a map with all the venues, visit the website of the initiators of the Notte Bianca (white night). Or just hang around town. It will be hard not to run into one or the other event during Siena's longest night of the year.