On our way from Anguillara to Antonella's at Borgo we spent 2 nights in the Tuscan town of Siena.
Siena was first settled as a hill fort by the Etruscans in 900-400 BC. It is a walled town with a complex history involving the power of noble families, the church and its citizens, and rivalry with its neighbour Florence. A constitution was created in the 12th century.
The view from near our small hotel inside the walls.
Siena was first settled as a hill fort by the Etruscans in 900-400 BC. It is a walled town with a complex history involving the power of noble families, the church and its citizens, and rivalry with its neighbour Florence. A constitution was created in the 12th century.
The view from near our small hotel inside the walls.
One of the town gates.
Inside the inner wall.
A modern use for Piazza Tolomei. In medieval times this building, Palazza Tolomei, housed the world's oldest surviving bank, established in the 15th century.
Pai del Tolomei (quoted by Dante) was thrown to her death from one of these windows by her husband. The Tolomei & Salimbeni families were bitter enemies and did some nasty things to each other.
We had lunch at this wee cafe perched on a hill near the birthplace of Catherine of Siena, Italy's patron saint, best known for her efforts to invoke peace between the powerful.
Siena's cathedral, the Duomo, was built between the 12-14th centuries and this facade was recently restored. On the right edge is the prominent striped tower.
The stripes are white and very dark green marble.
The mosaic floor has 56 panels of inlaid marble patterns & pictures created between the 14-16th centuries. We were lucky to see it all as it is often largely covered for protection, being one of the most splendid floors in Italy. This traditional depiction of Romulus & Remus recalls the legend that Siena was founded by the son of Remus.
A 15th century psalm book.
Baptistry art work. Siena has a rich artistic tradition.
A hilight at the end of our day was sitting at a cafe in the huge, shell shaped 13th century Piazza del Campo - a World Heritage Site. Since medieval times an annual horse race has been run around here, with the town neighbourhoods competing for the trophy. The winners were celebrating the weekend we were there.
We saw the main sights of Siena but could easily have spent another day there. Just as well we didn't try to see bigger Florence in a day!
While we were staying at Antonella's we took a day trip by train to Venice. What an interesting city! It was a major European maritime & commerce centre until its decline from the 15th century. It missed out on the race to colonise the new world and lost its 1000 years old independence to Napoleon in the 19th century. Today it is a busy World Heritage Site.
Trains & cars arrive at the city edge via causeways and then it is just boats & feet. We caught a water bus to the sights further down the Grand Canal.
High tide looks risky. The city was sinking, at least partly due to artesian wells being dug in the past. The sinking has slowed and projects to prevent further damage are underway.
One of approximately 400 bridges.
Life carries on for the locals
while the tourists are entertained.
The Byzantine style St Mark's Basilica was built between the 11-13th centuries. In the following few centuries adornments were added from ancient buildings in parts of the world visited by Venetian vessels. No photos were allowed - so Kay just enjoyed marvelling at the beautiful interior, covered with gold & bronze mosaics and decorated with precious stones.
Inside the inner wall.
A modern use for Piazza Tolomei. In medieval times this building, Palazza Tolomei, housed the world's oldest surviving bank, established in the 15th century.
Pai del Tolomei (quoted by Dante) was thrown to her death from one of these windows by her husband. The Tolomei & Salimbeni families were bitter enemies and did some nasty things to each other.
We had lunch at this wee cafe perched on a hill near the birthplace of Catherine of Siena, Italy's patron saint, best known for her efforts to invoke peace between the powerful.
Siena's cathedral, the Duomo, was built between the 12-14th centuries and this facade was recently restored. On the right edge is the prominent striped tower.
The stripes are white and very dark green marble.
The mosaic floor has 56 panels of inlaid marble patterns & pictures created between the 14-16th centuries. We were lucky to see it all as it is often largely covered for protection, being one of the most splendid floors in Italy. This traditional depiction of Romulus & Remus recalls the legend that Siena was founded by the son of Remus.
A 15th century psalm book.
Baptistry art work. Siena has a rich artistic tradition.
A hilight at the end of our day was sitting at a cafe in the huge, shell shaped 13th century Piazza del Campo - a World Heritage Site. Since medieval times an annual horse race has been run around here, with the town neighbourhoods competing for the trophy. The winners were celebrating the weekend we were there.
We saw the main sights of Siena but could easily have spent another day there. Just as well we didn't try to see bigger Florence in a day!
While we were staying at Antonella's we took a day trip by train to Venice. What an interesting city! It was a major European maritime & commerce centre until its decline from the 15th century. It missed out on the race to colonise the new world and lost its 1000 years old independence to Napoleon in the 19th century. Today it is a busy World Heritage Site.
Trains & cars arrive at the city edge via causeways and then it is just boats & feet. We caught a water bus to the sights further down the Grand Canal.
High tide looks risky. The city was sinking, at least partly due to artesian wells being dug in the past. The sinking has slowed and projects to prevent further damage are underway.
One of approximately 400 bridges.
Life carries on for the locals
while the tourists are entertained.
The Byzantine style St Mark's Basilica was built between the 11-13th centuries. In the following few centuries adornments were added from ancient buildings in parts of the world visited by Venetian vessels. No photos were allowed - so Kay just enjoyed marvelling at the beautiful interior, covered with gold & bronze mosaics and decorated with precious stones.
The Doge's Palace was the residence of the Doge of Venice, constructed in the 14-15th centuries. The Doge was elected for life as chief magistrate & leader by the aristrocrats of the Venetian Republic for over 1000 years. The Palace contains all kinds of art & treasures.
The marble & gold ceiling of the stairway.
Citizens could post written complaints here.
The prison below the Palace which prisoners reached across the Bridge of Sighs, aptly named considering the darkness ahead!
The Rialto Bridge, the oldest of the 4 that cross the Grand Canal. In the 16th century the original wooden structure, after collapsing a couple of times, was replaced by a stone bridge. Shop stalls line both sides of it - a daring design when it was built.
One of the 118 islands in the lagoon.
Venice was a gem to visit and, of course, we could have spent more time there too. Mike was pleased to return after his visit many years ago.
The marble & gold ceiling of the stairway.
Citizens could post written complaints here.
The prison below the Palace which prisoners reached across the Bridge of Sighs, aptly named considering the darkness ahead!
The Rialto Bridge, the oldest of the 4 that cross the Grand Canal. In the 16th century the original wooden structure, after collapsing a couple of times, was replaced by a stone bridge. Shop stalls line both sides of it - a daring design when it was built.
One of the 118 islands in the lagoon.
Venice was a gem to visit and, of course, we could have spent more time there too. Mike was pleased to return after his visit many years ago.