Tuscany Itinerary
May 2nd, 2005 | 08:09 AM
#2
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,155
Likes: 0
dragonflymom,
Siena, what’s there to do? Piazza del campo, one of the most beautiful and famous piazza in Italy, the seashell shaped piazza where the Palio is run. On the lower end of the campo is the town hall and tower. The Palazzo Pubblico contains many works of Sienese art; one of the more famous frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti shows the effects of good and bad government. The Torre di Mangia provides a breath-taking view of the city (don’t try this if you have a weak heart or are claustrophobic). The Duomo (design most influenced by Giovanni Pisano) was built to impress and it does. Inside are an astonishing number of busts, statues, frescoes, and painting. The octagonal marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano is amazing, as are the works by Donatello, Bernini, and Michelangelo. The Libreria Piccolomini contains many illuminated books and brilliant frescoes. The floor is covered by art but unfortunately this is covered by cardboard except during floorshows (bring on the nuns – sorry). Outside the Duomo you can see the Archbishop’s palace, Spedale di Santa Marie delle Scale (1000 year old hospital contains frescoes that are huge), Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. There are palaces (palace of the Piccolomini, Logge del Papa, Loggia della Mercanzia, Palazzo Chigi-Saracini); churches (San Domenico-with the head of Saint Catherine, Basillica di San Francesco, Sant’Agostino) and enotece (the Enoteca Italia in the fortezza has more wines to try then you have time).
The market (by the fortezza) is on Wednesday mornings (about three hundred vendors providing basic goods to locals. Ceramics are sold all over but especially on the street between the Campo and Duomo.
But with all there is to do don’t miss just strolling through a real town that looks like it hasn’t changed in hundreds of years.
Siena, what’s there to do? Piazza del campo, one of the most beautiful and famous piazza in Italy, the seashell shaped piazza where the Palio is run. On the lower end of the campo is the town hall and tower. The Palazzo Pubblico contains many works of Sienese art; one of the more famous frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti shows the effects of good and bad government. The Torre di Mangia provides a breath-taking view of the city (don’t try this if you have a weak heart or are claustrophobic). The Duomo (design most influenced by Giovanni Pisano) was built to impress and it does. Inside are an astonishing number of busts, statues, frescoes, and painting. The octagonal marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano is amazing, as are the works by Donatello, Bernini, and Michelangelo. The Libreria Piccolomini contains many illuminated books and brilliant frescoes. The floor is covered by art but unfortunately this is covered by cardboard except during floorshows (bring on the nuns – sorry). Outside the Duomo you can see the Archbishop’s palace, Spedale di Santa Marie delle Scale (1000 year old hospital contains frescoes that are huge), Museo dell’Opera del Duomo. There are palaces (palace of the Piccolomini, Logge del Papa, Loggia della Mercanzia, Palazzo Chigi-Saracini); churches (San Domenico-with the head of Saint Catherine, Basillica di San Francesco, Sant’Agostino) and enotece (the Enoteca Italia in the fortezza has more wines to try then you have time).
The market (by the fortezza) is on Wednesday mornings (about three hundred vendors providing basic goods to locals. Ceramics are sold all over but especially on the street between the Campo and Duomo.
But with all there is to do don’t miss just strolling through a real town that looks like it hasn’t changed in hundreds of years.
May 2nd, 2005 | 09:00 AM
#3
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,112
Likes: 0
Henry, thanks for that concise list which I'm going to keep for my next trip. Despite many visits to Siena, I have not seen everything you described.
dragonflymom, with 1 day, you will barely be able to see the highlights of Siena, let alone anywhere else. Enjoy your time there!
dragonflymom, with 1 day, you will barely be able to see the highlights of Siena, let alone anywhere else. Enjoy your time there!
May 2nd, 2005 | 10:35 AM
#4
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 162
Likes: 0
dragonflymom,
I agree with Henry. And if you don't think you can handle climbing the Torre di Mangia, may I suggest climbing the Facciatione. It's the unfinished fascade of the Duomo reached through the Museo del'Opera dell Duomo. It only has ~200, mostly open steps and the view is spectacular of the Torre di Mangia,Piazza del Campo and the rest of Siena and surrounding countryside.
I agree with Henry. And if you don't think you can handle climbing the Torre di Mangia, may I suggest climbing the Facciatione. It's the unfinished fascade of the Duomo reached through the Museo del'Opera dell Duomo. It only has ~200, mostly open steps and the view is spectacular of the Torre di Mangia,Piazza del Campo and the rest of Siena and surrounding countryside.
May 2nd, 2005 | 10:43 AM
#5
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
May 2nd, 2005 | 11:48 AM
#6
Original Poster
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 38
Likes: 0
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH !!!
Henry-thank you for your list. A lot of things look great to see, but I like to get someone's perspective--not just a book or website--which I had checked also.Thank you , Marilyn for the time issue !!
Thanks again all !
Henry-thank you for your list. A lot of things look great to see, but I like to get someone's perspective--not just a book or website--which I had checked also.Thank you , Marilyn for the time issue !!
Thanks again all !
