Discover The Secrets Of Siena’s Underground Bottini

On any visit to Tuscany the only difficulty you can expect to encounter is in deciding just how to spend your time. The renowned region of Italy is famous for its varied and eclectic towns and villages, each with their own charm and their own exciting attractions. Most visitors base themselves in Florence, and this is definitely a good place to start, but Siena offers a number of fantastic things to see and do too, not least its mysterious underground ‘Bottini’. A trip around these ancient aqueducts makes Siena one of the best day trips from Florence for any group who are looking for something a bit different. 

Bottini?

The Bottini are a series of underground tunnels that serve all the springs and wells of Siena, delivering water through kilometres of hidden stone pathways. Their origins are shrouded in some mystery, but some say that the underground passageways existed as early as the fourth century A.D. With historical speculation come rumours of creatures that reside in this labyrinth, and the legend of a hidden river that can only be heard from two places in the city. Although neither of these rumours have ever been corroborated by evidence, it makes a stroll through the tunnels that much more fun.

An Exciting Visit

Today visitors can walk through these ancient aqueducts on two main pathways. The first is seven and a half kilometres which runs deep. The shallower of the pathways is Fonte Gaia and this one is over 15 kilometres long; it delivers water into the Piazza del Campo among other places. There is so much to see and to imagine on walks through these hidden gems of Tuscan heritage. Guided tours will be sure to enliven the imagination with tales both true and legendary.

An Evocative Walk

Nowhere else in the region can visitors enjoy such splendid and unprecedented access to the formation of a classic Tuscan city. You’ll see the parts of the tunnels that are no longer used, such as the covered well under the Hotel Italia, which demonstrates how important these aqueducts were for the formation of Siena. Any tour of the tunnels will leave inquisitive guests very satisfied. 

A Tremendous Trip

The Sienese Bottini are a great reason to visit this beautiful city and really do make for one of the most enjoyable day trips from Florence. You can see these on an organised tour of the region, but if you’ve got time for multiple day trips from Florence, then you might like to revisit Siena to see some of its other, equally enticing sights.

These tunnels are rich in history and intrigue, much like Tuscany itself, and day trips from Florence don’t come much more unique and interesting than this. Whenever you’re planning to visit, the Bottini make a great addition to any itinerary. 

Author Plate

Mauro Bramante is the Director of WalkAbout Florence, an independent business offering unforgettable day trips from Florence including Vintage Vespa tours, cooking classes and wine safaris. Wherever and whatever you want to explore Mauro's company promises excitement, adventure and above all, fun. If you're keen to experience the magic of Italy with the help of some passionate and knowledgeable tour guides, look no further than WalkAbout Florence for your next getaway.