Siena, Italy

 

I was excited about seeing Siena.  We drove an hour south east from our villa ready to find Siena's Il Campo, the pedestrian only main square – the best in Italy.  It’s amphitheater style makes people want to sit and relax, which we did for quite a while enjoying the area while the kids played tag.  “Il Campo is the heart – geographically and metaphorically—of Siena.  The square fans out from the City Hall.  Originally, this area was just a field (campo) located outside the former city walls.  As the city expanded, Il Campo eventually became the historic junction of Siena’s various competing districts and the old marketplace.  The square and its buildings are the color of the soil upon which they stand… a color known to Crayola-users as “Burnt Sienna”. 

   

Matthew and all the rest of the kids thought racing up and down this stone path through the middle of the courtyard was so much fun.

   

The City Hall and its 330 foot tower dominate the square. I found it interesting to read about the Palio races they have in this square two times a year.  Each of 10 of the 17 Siena neighborhoods cheers on their horse and rider who race around the grey outside stone in a three lap 60 second race.  They bring in dirt for the track and cover sharp corners with mattresses.  The square is packed with people cheering.  Each neighborhood has an animal mascot – porcupine, unicorn, wolf…    On the big day the horses are taken into their neighborhood church to be blessed.  It’s considered a sign of luck if a horse leaves droppings in the church!  A horse can win even if the rider falls off – which is frequent since they ride without saddles. Anyway – fun to read about some of the traditions of the city.

Grandma, Megan and Emily and the Il Campo

We eagerly climbed the 300 steps up the Torre del Mangia – the City Tower.  All this climbing everywhere helps with the pizza and gelato we eat so frequently.    It’s steps get pretty skinny at the top but the reward is one of Italy’s best views.  We spent a lot of time at the top.

   

My cute boys…

Me and my girls…

 

I just love this little smile of Matthew’s…

   

Grandpa and the boys…

   

I think this one’s my favorite…

After we climbed down we wandered through some of the smaller streets checking out nice leather purse shops and looking for gelato. Then we found Siena’s Duomo --- the ‘soul’ of Siena.   It sits atop Siena’s highest point and is visible for miles around.  The interior is a Renaissance riot of striped columns, intricate marble inlays, Michelangelo statues, and Bernini sculptures.  We like to think of it as the zebra cathedral.

Even the outside has black and white stripes…

        

My Megan girl… 6 years old.

   

Late afternoon we made our way back to the Il Campo and found a great place to eat right on the Square.  Everyone had pizza but I tried some stuffed ravioli that was great!  Thank you Grandma and Grandpa!