Finally a Day in Siena! After reading one of my favorite and hysterical books “Too Much Tuscan Sun”. The author and now famous tour guide of Siena, Dario Castagno has become a bucket list person to meet…not likely, but I can visit his City!
Taylor and I jumped on the train to Sienna on a cloudy day, watching it rain on the hour ride we hoped it would dry up and it did! After grabbing a map we walked about 15 min to the famous Piazza. We had the run of the town as it was off season and only a few visitors. The piazza was indeed huge! The brick laid semi circle area dipped down perfectly for drainage, had a lovely blue water “bath” at the top and forced you to look at the lovely bell tower ahead. This is one of Italy’s most talked about Piazza. It was stunning. The circular area reminded me of the anfiteatro in Lucca.
We strolled around towards the lower lever and Taylor mentioned people were allowed to climb the torre. WHAT?! She said as soon as it left her lips she knew she was in trouble. I have NEVER denied myself to climb a tower! After she tried to find every reason why NOT to go – we started climbing the narrow stairs to the top. The good news is you get to stop half way to put your bags in a locker…then more steps. The top was windy but worth it. Our photos showed both the countryside and the town of Siena. It also pointed us to our next destination, the Cathedral. The climb down was worse for my knees and we were glad to be back on solid ground. That was a tall one!
The Cattedrale e Libreria was Beautiful and so different. The marble front had loads of pink and in the cloudy late afternoon it almost glowed. The facade was indeed filled with multi colored marble, grand details of the Renaissance including gold inlaid and colorful precious metals as well. With a 8euro purchase you can tour the Cathedral, the Baptistery, visit downstairs and the newly discovered fresco covered crypt, the museum , then climb the top for panoramic views. With the Baptismal Font by Donatello, works in library by Bernini and Michelangelo- there is lots to ohh and ahh over , and lots of marble striped green and white and more gold!
After all this adornment we had a great lunch of pasta and ginghiale (wild boar) , then made our way back to the train station after much window shopping and a quick gelato stop. There is surely more to see of Sienna but it was a lovely afternoon!
I called goodbye to Dario, hating that he missed meeting us Southern gals! Oh well, his lost!
In the Piazza…
Yes…we are going up this tower…
Half way…
Pink marble…
The city’s symbol…
Lots of churches…
Out the gate back to the train…
