Day 7, Oct 14
Today we go to Siena! We are out the door and on the bus to the station that we think houses the bus we want. Hmmmm….wrong bus station. Had a nice tour of the station but no bus. A nice police man gives us directions. Out of the station, across the street, turn left, turn right and there it is. We buy our ticket with moments to spare. Make sure you get a return ticket or buy your return as soon as you get to your destination. We were not sure when the bus left but the traveling gods are with us and we are off in moments.
The country side is beautiful when we leave Florence. We climb for the whole trip and enjoy the views. As we enter the city we are impressed with what we see. Siena had a financial crash in the 13th century and never regained their place of eminence financially in Italy and as a result they could not afford to tear down buildings and build new so the city is frozen in time.
Siena is famous for the Il Campo. It’s main plaza, where every year the famous Palio horse races are held. They choose 10 contrade (neighbourhoods) to compete in a this race. The jockeys, usually from out of town are considered hired guns as they are willing to throw the race for the right price and often must run for their lives at the end of the race. Dirt is brought in and packed on the cobble stones and mattresses pad the walls. Three laps make a circuit. This is a no holds barred race. A horse can win without a rider. The winning neighbourhood is numero uno for the year.
We stop for a quick lunch on the plaza there and marvel at how the horses cope as the “track” is sharply sloped into the sunken plaza. We have a mediocre lunch and watch the tourists from our table.
Next we visit the Siena’s city hall which has a museum inside. Then up the hillside to the Plazza Duomo. This Duomo looks very familiar, much like the ones in Florence. The same theme of white with green and pink decoration. But step inside and it is a different world. We buy combo tickets to see the duomo, museum, baptistery, and crypt. The 13th century cathedral is the finest we have seen so far. The frescos are as fresh as if they had just been painted. See picture.
The marble panels on the floor are usually covered but have been roped off and revealed this month and we are able to see the artistry and beauty of this wonderful floor. As we walk around we are able to see tombs of famous people including one with carvings by Michelangelo. There is more than we can describe but this church made the whole visit worthwhile.
The town is more or less in a bowl so come prepared to do some climbing up fairly steep inclines. We have always got our eye out for Christmas ornaments for Lyn’s international Christmas tree and sure enough there is a lovely shop tucked away on a side street. Talking to the shop owner Lyn chooses a hand painted Christmas ball chosen by this lady as it represented her contrata. Brava!
When we arrived back in Florence, we took the bus back to our neighbourhood and had dinner at the Trattoria Pizzaeria Dante. We didn’t realize this was a Rick Steves recommended restaurant. Wow. Chris had a white wine that is slightly bubbly and it was wonderful. Lyn had stuffed roast pork and Chris had ravioli with a tomato and beef sauce. Even the green beans were yummier than anywhere else. We spoiled ourselves with dessert (Lyn had little chocolate cakes stuffed with custard and covered in whipping cream and Chris had tiramisu) and waddled home to try to work off some of the calories we had enjoyed. Great day!!
Travel Tip:
The bus is much easier to travel to Siena. In Florence the bus station is just outside the main train station Via S Caterina de Siena, 17R the next building just cross the street. In Siena the bus drops you off & picks you upon the centre of the city.
Today we go to Siena! We are out the door and on the bus to the station that we think houses the bus we want. Hmmmm….wrong bus station. Had a nice tour of the station but no bus. A nice police man gives us directions. Out of the station, across the street, turn left, turn right and there it is. We buy our ticket with moments to spare. Make sure you get a return ticket or buy your return as soon as you get to your destination. We were not sure when the bus left but the traveling gods are with us and we are off in moments.
The country side is beautiful when we leave Florence. We climb for the whole trip and enjoy the views. As we enter the city we are impressed with what we see. Siena had a financial crash in the 13th century and never regained their place of eminence financially in Italy and as a result they could not afford to tear down buildings and build new so the city is frozen in time.
Siena is famous for the Il Campo. It’s main plaza, where every year the famous Palio horse races are held. They choose 10 contrade (neighbourhoods) to compete in a this race. The jockeys, usually from out of town are considered hired guns as they are willing to throw the race for the right price and often must run for their lives at the end of the race. Dirt is brought in and packed on the cobble stones and mattresses pad the walls. Three laps make a circuit. This is a no holds barred race. A horse can win without a rider. The winning neighbourhood is numero uno for the year.
We stop for a quick lunch on the plaza there and marvel at how the horses cope as the “track” is sharply sloped into the sunken plaza. We have a mediocre lunch and watch the tourists from our table.
Next we visit the Siena’s city hall which has a museum inside. Then up the hillside to the Plazza Duomo. This Duomo looks very familiar, much like the ones in Florence. The same theme of white with green and pink decoration. But step inside and it is a different world. We buy combo tickets to see the duomo, museum, baptistery, and crypt. The 13th century cathedral is the finest we have seen so far. The frescos are as fresh as if they had just been painted. See picture.
The marble panels on the floor are usually covered but have been roped off and revealed this month and we are able to see the artistry and beauty of this wonderful floor. As we walk around we are able to see tombs of famous people including one with carvings by Michelangelo. There is more than we can describe but this church made the whole visit worthwhile.
The town is more or less in a bowl so come prepared to do some climbing up fairly steep inclines. We have always got our eye out for Christmas ornaments for Lyn’s international Christmas tree and sure enough there is a lovely shop tucked away on a side street. Talking to the shop owner Lyn chooses a hand painted Christmas ball chosen by this lady as it represented her contrata. Brava!
When we arrived back in Florence, we took the bus back to our neighbourhood and had dinner at the Trattoria Pizzaeria Dante. We didn’t realize this was a Rick Steves recommended restaurant. Wow. Chris had a white wine that is slightly bubbly and it was wonderful. Lyn had stuffed roast pork and Chris had ravioli with a tomato and beef sauce. Even the green beans were yummier than anywhere else. We spoiled ourselves with dessert (Lyn had little chocolate cakes stuffed with custard and covered in whipping cream and Chris had tiramisu) and waddled home to try to work off some of the calories we had enjoyed. Great day!!
Travel Tip:
The bus is much easier to travel to Siena. In Florence the bus station is just outside the main train station Via S Caterina de Siena, 17R the next building just cross the street. In Siena the bus drops you off & picks you upon the centre of the city.
this is Siena's tourism site :http://www.aboutsiena.com/index.html
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