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Published: August 25th 2008
I LOVE this city
Almost positive that's The Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi in backgroundSienna, day or night, rain or shine- a city to spend days in! Friendly, relaxing & so many American tourists, one might just think English is the native language here 😊
Much to our delight, we missed the Palio dell'Assunta horse race where many thousands gather from all over the world to watch. The sparse Piazza seen here looks considerably different when packed to capacity I'm sure!
The small lanes of Sienna are darker than most cities we've had the pleasure to experience. It's so dark as a matter of fact that it is physically & emotionally shocking to step out onto the Piazza & view the Palazzo Pubblico & enormous Tower.... literally brought tears to my eyes. It wasn't simply because it was so bright, it was the experience of strolling through the more simplistic gothic/medieval paths around the city to step out onto this vast expanse. Absolutely unforgettable. Unfortunately my photos don't give this structure the justice it deserves.
This building, like so many others (especially Cathedrals) has a dress code. Although scorching @ times deep in the cities due to the amount of brick, concrete, marble, plaster & the inability of breezes to swirl unabated,
Duomo
Cathedral with HIGHLY unusual north-south axis people tend to wear as little as possible. The dress codes are strictly enforced & it is a shame to see people wait in line, only to be turned away @ the door. I have found carrying a few sarongs for the girls & myself, takes up little space & weigh nothing in the backpack. No tank tops, no shorts above the knee... hard bill to fill on a sweltering summer day. Whip out a sarong, wrap it around & you're in business!
Some Cathedrals offer, free of charge, a paper gown. Ok, it's not the most attractive piece of apparel :D but it will get you in. It's not a fashion show but WOW were my daughters grateful not to have to wear one!
The Duomo di Sienna has probably been my favorite façade thus far. This Cathedral steeped in legend & historical fact has seen some amazing times. The black/green marble was a bit to get accustomed to & the difference of it's appearance on a rainy day & completely sunny day was really something to appreciate. We sat on the steps & just looked this for the longest time. If I'm not mistaken this cathedral, @
one time voted in (synod?) a pope & an antipope, Oooo strife & mystique! Recently, "rooms" have been discovered containing frescoes from the 1200's, oh WHAT a find !!! Needless to say, a treasure trove of archaeology still being discovered today. Oh to be a fly on the wall !
One aspect I appreciate in particular, are the sections glass floors many cathedral's implement to exhibit the remains of the original church discovered under the floors. (I almost hate to call them floors as they too are veritable works of art). Mummified bodies, relics & artifacts of all genre are often on display, but sometimes merely a description of what was found & where it is "stored" today -_- Bummer.
This city gives me the impression of pure academia. Wonderful, truly wonderful.
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