Republic of Siena
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| Republic of Siena Repubblica di Siena |
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Coat of arms |
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| Italy, and the Republic of Siena , at the close of the 15th century | ||||
| Capital | Siena | |||
| Language(s) | Tuscan, Latin, Italian | |||
| Government | Republic | |||
| History | ||||
| - Established | 11th century | |||
| - Disestablished | 1555 | |||
The Republic of Siena (Italian: Repubblica di Siena), was a state originating from the city of Siena in Tuscany, Central Italy.
It existed for over four hundreds years, from the late 11th century until the year 1555, when was defeated by the rival Duchy of Florence in alliance with the Spanish crown. After 18 months of resistance, Republic of Siena surrendered to Spain on 17 April 1555, marking the end of the republic.
The new Spanish King Philip, owing huge sums to the Medici, ceded it (apart a series of coastal fortress annexed to the State of Presidi) to the Grand Duchy of Tuscany, to which it belonged until the unification of Italy in the 19th century.
A Republican government of 700 Sienese families in Montalcino resisted until 1559.