Siena

I had an enjoyable bus trip through the rolling hills of the lush Tuscan countryside down to Siena, famous for its Il Palio, the annual wild horse race where riders from the various contradas or town districts compete for the coveted palio or silk banner. The apartment in which I am staying is a stone's throw from the Piazza del Campo, which is undoubtedly the heart of the city, Il Campo, as the irregularly shaped square is known, has a sloping brick surface, which is ideal for lounging on and watching the passing parade. Sitting right on the piazza is the Palazzo Pubblico, the former 13th century Town Hall, which is an important example of civil Gothic architecture. The Palazzo has wonderful wooden concave ceilings and is a treasury of art masterpiecess such as fierce scenes depicting the 12th century pope's battles. There was a chapel dedicated to the life of the Virgin Mary with the original wrought iron screen, chandelier and choir stalls from the 15th century. More on Siena in my next post.