Travels in Tuscany--Siena Revisited (Part 1 of 2)

Siena is wonderful place to visit again and again.  Each time we visit, we see and learn more about this walled medieval town in Tuscany.

A recent visit, this time with daughter Sally, was no exception. 

Below is a photographic catalog of our visit. 

Piazza del Campo:  The heart of Siena is the main square, the Piazza del Campo.  The square is the site of the twice-yearly horse race, Il Palio, and a meeting place for Sienese and visitors alike.

The majestic town hall and its bell tower (pictured below) dominate the main square.

The bell tower has a clock that tells both the time of day and the day of the month -- see below.  In Italy, who needs a minute hand anyway?

The ornate outdoor chapel in the main chapel (pictured below) recalls the devastating plague in 1348. 

Outside the Walls:  In a large park outside the town are statues dedicated to Siena's heritage and history.  One sculpture celebrates the Porcupine neighborhood's many wins of the Palio horse race, 37 times during the last 3 centuries.

"Contrada_Sovrana_dell'Istrice" (rough translation, the Soveriegn Neighborhood of the Porcupine)

Another statue celebrates one of the fathers of the fatherland, Giuseppe Garibaldi, the military hero who led the 19th century unification of Italy.

Strolling Around the Town:  While walking through Siena, many sights--large and small--caught our attention, like the flag of the Rhinoceros neighborhood near the heart of Siena.

The gothic doorway of the Monte dei Paschi bank is an imposing entrance, symbolizing the age of the bank, more than 500 hundred years old. 

The dude in the photo below is famed poet Dante.  Although Dante was a Florentine and therefore not beloved in Siena, the people of Siena recognize his importance in Tuscany and beyond.  This likeness of his head adorns the eaves of an important building.

Our walking tour of Siena included a cup of hot espresso to relieve the chill of a cold, windy morning.  

Sally with her new friend in Siena.  (Sally is on the left.)

Next Up:  Exploring Siena's Cathedral