Tuscany Day2 Siena

Posted byrkrontheroadPosted inEurope, Italy, Photography, Travel, TuscanyTags:, , , ,

 Driving winding roads to see the charming, historic towns scattered around the Tuscan hillsides, I followed an itinerary recommended by my friend. Although I could only spend a short wander in most towns, I enjoyed a longer look in lovely Siena. This post is a continuation as I drove to each romantic village and walked its ancient narrow streets in 2007.

Basilica

The Duomo cathedral houses some astonishing artwork, etched and tiled into the floor. The illuminated manuscripts and painted frescos in the library blazed with color. While I was there, drummers came in waving colorful flags, marched to a prayer room, and chanted to the virgin ceremoniously.

Duomo
Duomo floor
Duomo library
Manuscript (ok to photo without flash)
Drummers

I discovered little treasures in the angular, hidden piazzas of Siena: arches, wells, statues. Large green flags bearing a regal white duck waved from shuttered windows over the streets of Siena. It would be so exciting to see the famed Palio di Siena horse race through the ancient cobbled streets, although I might not want to brave the crowds.

Basilica door
City hall statues

I drove back into Roccastrada under a Tuscan rainbow, and when I reached my final destination for the day, it perfectly framed my friend’s villa, Hotel Sant Uberto.

Roccastrada

More to come…
Tuscany: Day1, Day1 part 2, Day2, Day2 Siena, Day3

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Published by rkrontheroad

Writer, photographer, traveler

33 thoughts on “Tuscany Day2 Siena”

  1. Pingback: Tuscany Day 2 – Ruth Rosenfeld
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    2. … and I in 1982, my junior year in college. The street scene with the flags reminded me why Siena was one of my favorite memories from that year – so much character in those hillside towns.

      I had to look it up, but the Basilica contains the mummified head and thumb of Saint Catherine (of Siena). You don’t forget those sorts of things when you’re a kid in college.

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      1. They are fascinating and so picturesque. I didn’t go into the basilica… That’s kind of creepy. I looked up about the flags after I posted this . The animals represent the different neighborhoods. I must have been in the duck area!

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  7. Siena is on my Italy wish-list and you’ve just reinforced its place there! The Duomo looks beautiful but my favourite photo is of the two small kids with their oversized flags – future Sbandieratori perhaps?! As for that rainbow, what perfect positioning!

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  10. Fantastic captures of Siena. We visited last summer when they were setting up the horse race. We thought the same thing about how it would have been nice to see, but then again, it wouldn’t have been so fun to deal with all the crowds.

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  15. Lovely photos. I remember our day trip to Siena from Florence fondly. I notice you have a picture of the boar head outside the little food shop. I don’t know if you remember, but I wrote a post about our trip there that centered on the charismatic owners of that VERY shop! Small world!

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