Serenity in Siena

After several hours standing on packed trains for the second day running, we vowed that “next time” we will avoid movement over an Easter weekend.

Arriving in Siena yesterday lunchtime, we took the ten minute trip via escalator to the gates of the city.  Finding our hotel was simple and after check-in and depositing our sacks, we headed into the centre.

Siena, is stunning, views from the city walls across a far-reaching landscape all the way to the snow-capped Alps, almost a distant memory from where we’d travelled.

The narrow streets with over-hanging buildings were more than quaint and their purpose, to keep the heat of the day out, became apparent when we entered the Piazza del Campo, spread out before us was a mass of people lazing in the afternoon sunshine. 

Gazing up at the magnificent tower of the Torre del Mangia, it certainly is an arena indeed worthy of the horse racing, Palio di Siena, which takes place on just two dates each year one in July and the other in August. This medieval setting is unquestionably a place not to be missed.

A short stroll from the Piazza up gently slopping side streets passing an oasis of designer shops and bespoke food outlets is the Duomo “The Cathedral of Saint Mary” a descendant of the medieval Roman Catholic Marian Church building that once stood on the very same site. The cathedral is an imposing structure with a magnificent facade adorned with sculptures of philosophers and apostles.

Inside the cathedral you feel the spirituality and to sit quietly within the coolness of the marble surrounds is a moment I shall not forget.  The Italians certainly know how to build  magnificent structures in the name of religion, the wealth and history of the Catholic faith is evident, not only from a structural angle but also from the historical relics and artefacts on view.

So time to return to the Piazza and enjoy a moment people-watching in the spring sunshine, with a nice cold beer.

Free pizza was an unexpected and appreciated bonus!

Today and tomorrow we head onward leaving Italy to arrive in Slovenia late on Wednesday afternoon.