Among
all cities we have visited in Italy this autumn, Siena is the loveliest, in my
opinion. I
know, Florence is a jewel with lot of art and history, but energy and vibrations
in Siena are special. This medieval city, in the central part of Tuscany, has
captured my heart.
One
of main attractions of the city is the
famous Palio, a horse race around the Piazza del Campo two times every summer.(on 2 July and 16
August.). Even
if you are not in town in that period, all stories and sights will start with Palio.
The city is divided in districts-neighborhoods-Contrade.
Seventeen Contrade compete in a passionate
horse race in the Piazza del Campo. Each
Contrada has its own emblem and colors.
Flags
and emblems are displayed at the streets.
At
the street corners emblems designate the entrance into a different Contrada.
Every
contrada has its own fountain- baptismal font.
The
bronze fountain, topped by an eagle, is one of those where local children were baptized – ''battesimo di Contrada''.
Piazza
del Campo is heart and soul of the city.
The
shell-shaped town square.
During
the day, tourists come to sit an relax here.
The Palazzo
Pubblico- town hall
The She-Wolf Suckling the Twins - the
symbol of Siena.
Torre
del Mangia- It is 87 meters high.
Directly
opposite of the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia is Fonte Gaia.
The Duomo-
is a masterpiece of Italian Romanesque-Gothic.
The
exterior and interiors of the cathedral are decorated in white and black
marble.
The
interior of the cathedral is impressive. You don't know where to look.
The
marble mosaic floor of the cathedral.
The
other major treasure in the cathedral is
the Piccolomini Library- Libreria Piccolomini
The
Crypt - area under the Cathedral's choir.
The
Baptistery of San Giovanni
Baptismal Font
The
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
"Duomo
Nuovo"- unbuilt cathedral- construction began in 1339 and was interrupted after the Black Death of
1348.
The new Duomo- Façade
On
the top of the wall is a great platform you can climb up to and enjoy a
wonderful panoramic view.
Beautiful
panorama of Tuscany.
San
Gimignano
A
halfway between Florence and Siena is a small medieval village San Gimignano.The
village is famous for its fascinating
medieval architecture and towers.In
the past there were around 72
tower-houses built as symbols of wealth and power. Only 14 have survived.
American tourists call it "medieval Manhattan."
This
lovely village managed to preserve its medieval architecture despite the
passing of the centuries.
Piazza
Duomo
Best
Gelato
Few
hours in San Gimignano was not enough for proper tour, but we enjoyed in
beautiful sunny day, bought some Pecorino cheese and Cantuccini biscuits and
decided to come again. :)
No comments:
Post a Comment