Siena's Sights

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Well, I've been posting entries about all the places I've visited outside Siena, and I felt it was time to talk about what I've seen within Siena's walls. Over the past two weeks, I've been to the:

*Duomo-where supposedly they keep one of John the Baptist's arms
*The Museum for the Duomo-where I saw Duccio's Maesta (the most gorgeous painting I've ever seen)!
*The Baptistry
*The Crypt-a secret room between the Duomo and the Baptistry that was just discovered 10 years ago
*San Domenico Church-Where Saint Catherine's (the patron saint Siena that was responsible for convincing the pope to move back to Italy) head is displayed

It's extremely hard to explain everything that I've seen, since pictures aren't allowed in most of these places.

I'm posting some of the pictures that I took with better descriptions, and I'm also going to post some images that I found online of things that I've seen, but that I've not been allowed to photograph.


I also finished planning my spring break this past week (since it starts Thursday). Thursday I'm flying from Pisa to Malta and staying in Malta with most of the Guilford group until Tuesday. Then I'm flying back to Pisa staying one night here, just to see the leaning tower and Duomo. Wednesday morning I'm going to catch a train from Pisa to Sorrento (which is located near Naples). I'm using Sorrento as my base and I'm taking day trips to Naples, Pompeii, and Capri. Sunday morning I'm taking a train back to Siena.

It's hard to believe I've already been here a month, and that I have tests this coming week and my first paper due. I've definitely learned what it's like to do actual research, since we have very limited internet time and since most of the things we're studying aren't easy to locate. I joined the library this week, but their selection of English books is very, very limited. At least, I can check-out two movies a week (most of these are available in English).

Since I have so much time on my hands at night, I've been reading a lot! I completed Pride and Prejudice this week and started The Secret Life of Bees, which is one of the best books I've read in awhile. Well, I need to stop wasting time on here and work on my Economics homework!

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Photos

The Guilford Group
This is everyone from Guilford studying here in Siena on the steps of the Duomo.

Duomo
This is Siena's Duomo, but because it is surrounded by buildings it's very hard to get a picture with no shadow.

Inside the Duomo
All of the walls and all of the floors inside are constructed of three different types of marble (white, pink, and black).

The Pulpit
This is the pulpit constructed by Nicola Pisano and his son Giovanni Pisano.

The Front of Duccio's Maesta
You can't tell from this picture, but all of the gold is gold leaf and it is about 7 feet long and 4 feet high, so when you first see it, it takes your breath away.

Original Front of Duccio's Maesta
This is what it originally looked like, the frames are still displayed in the museum, but they are on a separate wall. On the front of the piece is the life story of the Madonna.

Original Back of Duccio's Maesta.
These are the panels depicting Jesus' life, originally they were on the back of the Maesta (which was hung from the ceiling so both sides were visable). Now theses panels are hung on the opposite wall of the front piece.

The Fontebranda
This is the original "watering hole" for Siena. Siena isn't located near any above ground water source so during the Middle Ages this was the only source of water.

On top of the Museo di Duomo
The bell tower is the Palazzo Publico overlooking the Piazza del Campo.

San Domenico
This is the back of San Domenico, looking up from Fontebranda.

The doors to San Domenico
These doors are fairly new (1980s) and are carved completely of wood.

Photo 13
This is our neighbors dog that lives on the terrace below my room.

Comments

[Teresa]

Sounds EXCITING!!
Hi, Tif, ....Sounds like you are going to be very busy this week. Your Spring trip sounds like so much fun. Be sure to be very careful, especially on the last leg of the trip, when you are by yourself. Remember, we are living out our dreams of traveling aboard through you. Love ya, be careful.