Siena

Last year, we rally enjoyed our trip to Siena, and left many interesting things unseen, so it was time for a return trip.  On the way, we were able to have lunch with Mary (Donella's sister) and John in Florence where they are staying for a week before moving on to Lucca, and maybe Barga.  They had a great wee flat about 100 yards from the Duomo!  In the warm sunshine, Florence was not what we have become accustomed to, with huge crowds, and long queues at the tourist hotspots.

After a tumultuous bus journey (it was a substitute bus, and the road is up in many places just now ...) we arrived in Siena just before sundown.  We had an pleasant walk through busy streets to our B&B which was in a calm leafy suburb just outside the walls, with a splendid view across to the old town.

First things first - ie gelato ...

Looking across to Siena Duomo and the tower of the Palazzo dei Popolo

Later that evening, after our meal, we wended our way home via the cathedral square - where had all the tourists gone?

Next morning, we climbed a high tower which gave splendid views including this panoramic shot  showing cathedral and countryside beyond - Siena is not a very large city

Looking down on the Campo, where the famous horse race - the Palio - is held in the summer

The rolling landscape for which Tuscany is famous

In the cathedral museum were many marble sculptures which have been brought indoors from the elements.  This little chap seems a bit startled by the change ...

A strikingly modern looking face on an 800 year old painting in the Siena Art Gallery - it was painted by Dietisalvi di Spemi, one of many great artists of whom we have not heard .. 

We headed for the train through the Camollia Gate.  The arch of the gate bears the inscription "Cor Magis Tibi Siena Pandit", meaning "Siena opens its heart to you wider than this gate" - which is nice.