According to medieval legend, Siena’s founder was Remus’s son Senio, who fled rome with his brother Aschio. They carried a carving of a she wolf, which became the symbol of Siena. Romulus’s knights followed the lads until they reached the hill known as Siena Vecchia, where, after a race known as “Palio alla Lunga” Senio and Aschio founded the city – a pretty story.
Romulus and Remus statues are all over Siena. I spotted them everywhere. The first I saw were guarding the entrance to the walls of the city, near the Hotel Minerva, where I stayed.
standing guard at the wall
on the other side
near the Duomo
above the door at Palazzo Pubblico
watching over the Campo
inside the Palazzo Pubblico
outside the Duomo
near the Campo
guarding the piazza
in Piazza Tolomei
up in the air
on the Palazzo Pubblico and the clock tower
on the floor of the Duomo
When I go back to Italy soon I will be on the lookout for Romulus and Remus in other cities. I know they are there, and I will find them.
Oh these photos are GREAT! I love them! My ten-year old daughter has just finished studying the legendary and true origins of Rome at school. (Italian kids typically study Roman history in the fifth year of Elementary School). Anyway, she just ticked Romulus and Remus off her list. I’m gonna show her these; maybe she could share some of them with her friends…even though they were shot in Siena? By the way, what a beautiful city. I’m envious of how close you are.
By: The Daily Cure on January 23, 2011
at 7:42 am
Siena is gorgeous. I have been several times, but I can’t get enough of it. I will be on the lookout for Romulus and Remus when I come to Milan soon.
By: bagnidilucca on January 23, 2011
at 7:53 am
…about as popular as Pied Piper images in Hamelin, it seems. Siena is one of our favourite Italian towns…even nicer than Firenze, we thought, and with better parking.
By: Richard Tulloch on January 23, 2011
at 8:27 am
I love Siena. I love Florence too, but I would rather stick pins in my eyes than drive there.
By: bagnidilucca on January 23, 2011
at 11:57 am
You’ve got such an eye for details and spotting things!
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on January 23, 2011
at 10:23 am
There are more of them there than I saw in Rome!
By: Journey Photographic on January 23, 2011
at 1:00 pm
I remember being fascinated by the story of Romulus and Remus as a kid… actually I still love it. Great pictures.
By: cityhippyfarmgirl on January 24, 2011
at 2:28 am
I know the names Romulus and Remus, Rome was named after them, but not the story. Interesting.
By: Fragolina on January 24, 2011
at 9:25 am
Hahaaaa 🙂 Sounds like your on a mission there Deb. Its kinda cool in a weird sort of way these statues huh.
By: Anna Johnston on January 24, 2011
at 10:33 am
Great pictures and well spotted!! I have been many times in Siena but I have actually never paid attention to Romulus and Remus. This will be in my agenda when I will visit there next time!
By: Minna on January 25, 2011
at 11:47 am
Once you become aware of them, you find them everywhere.
By: bagnidilucca on January 25, 2011
at 11:49 am
Thanks for sharing your photos and insights about this duo.
By: David on February 13, 2011
at 2:08 pm
Just left Siena and saw all the statues. Went on to Pisa and there are more there!!! Have you read the novel “Roma”? It gives a very interesting slant on the Romulus and Remus story. I loved it.
By: Maxine Morris on July 3, 2011
at 7:29 pm
I will look for the book, thanks for the tip. As I said, once you start noticing these, you find them everywhere. I think I have seen more in Siena than anywhere, although Rome has a few.
By: bagnidilucca on July 3, 2011
at 9:05 pm
There is one in the garden besides the leaning tower of Pisa
By: Anonymous on October 17, 2011
at 7:41 pm
I will look out for it next time I go.
By: bagnidilucca on October 17, 2011
at 9:43 pm
[…] the wolf who raised their father and uncle. They became the founders of Siena. There are a lot of statues and other depictions of the wolf and boys in […]
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at 3:52 pm
[…] the wolf who raised their father and uncle. They became the founders of Siena. There are a lot of statues and other depictions of the wolf and boys in […]
By: David Patrick Hurley Online & In Japan on November 3, 2015
at 8:42 am
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at 8:48 am
Also Romulus and Temus statues in Pisa right next to the tower even
By: Martin on August 2, 2022
at 7:45 pm
Yes, they are all over Italy.
By: Debra Kolkka on August 2, 2022
at 8:25 pm