Basilica of San Domenico, Siena
by hopang
Basilica of San Domenico is located on the hill of Camporegio in the historic centre of Siena. Construction of the Roman Catholic church began from 1226 and did not complete until 1265 by the Dominicans on the hill which they received from Malavolti family as a present. The basilica is dedicated to St. Dominic and is closely associated with St. Catherine of Siena. It was constructed of bricks in Gothic style of architecture.
The basilica contains a Maesta by Guido da Siena which dates back to the 13th century. A portrait of St. Catherine by Andrea Vanni can be seen inside the chapel of St. Catherine which also contains many other popular paintings mostly the work of Sodoma. The area around Basilica of San Domenico has a spectacular view of the Duomo and the surrounding areas of historic city of Siena.
Opening hours are between 7.00 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. daily, closed during lunch hours. Admission to the basilica is free. Visit the Basilica of San Domenico if you have the time to spare!
Bologna - A building and thats for sure
by speed4turtles
I don't have any notice what this battiment could be.
If there's someone among you who knows, please let me know and i will fill it in with your name and all of your messures lol.
Could this be the tombe Rolandino di Passeggeri at the San Domenico square ?
yahoo
yahoo
Visit Siena
by Packerman
Siena is a very walkable city. There are 4 churches/cathedrals of note; Santa Maria dei Servi, San Domenico, San Francesco, and the Duomo. The somewhat famous Piazza del Campo which is shaped like a half-oval and the large Palazzo Pubblico with its high tower (Torre del Mangia) at the base of the Piazza del Campo. One is allowed to venture up the tower and receive a wonderful view of Siena. The piazza is a great place to eat lunch or dinner or just get some ice cream. Siena is a medieval city so the narrow pedestrian streets are rather enjoyable to just walk around looking in the windows of all the shops.
lemon yellow, even in the rain
by artist-traveller
We walked today for hours, as one does, and saw a lot of the central part of Palermo, There is something about this place that I just love. It is just barely under control, the buildings are dirty, the streets go off in all directions, and the traffic is murderous. Still, it is lively, beautiful in its own way, and makes me smile just to be here. We are near the Piazza San Domenico, which I adore. It has a big church, a central fountain with a huge sculpture in the middle, shops on one side and a major shopping street on another. It is paved, as is much of the city, in huge granite blocks that tilt in various directions and are smooth with generations of wear. At night, it is illuminated and looks majestic. I love the way it tilts just slightly away from the major street, the Via Roma, and towards the direction of the harbor. The small shops and restaurants are interrupted by the entrances to alleys, some that lead to other small piazzas, some to long streets with shops and markets. It seems like the distillation of what I like here. Majestic, rather over the top architecture and sculpture, up against buildings that haven't been cleaned since Napoleon ruled, and iron balconies hanging from nearly every window, often with clothes attached.
We found our way to the Palazzo Real, with the Palatine Chapel,and its famous mosaics. Naturally it is being restored, and only part of it is visible. In exchange for taking lots of money to see the partial chapel, the authorities have decided to include a tour of some rooms of the Palace, which is infact where the Sicilian parliament meets regularly. It is wonderful to see the 1000+ yr old building in constant use and constant restoration! We had lunch at a Tunisian restaurant, and enjoyed the change from Italian.
Tomorrow we head towards Monreal, and Erice with a probable stop at Segesta, one of the many greek temples we will visit. The ancient part of Siracusa, Ortygia, has so much charm and history that it is like honey to a bear for me.
Today, I walked all over the city, revisiting places I had seen before and always seeing new spots. I actually found the ancient mikva, or Jewish ritual bath that was discovered only about 15 years ago when a hotel was being constructed out of an old building in the former,(we are talking before 1492 and the expulsion of Jews from all of Spain, of which Sicily was a part) Jewish quarter. It was way way down, about 3 stories of stone steps to a natural spring and several pools with stairs down into them. The water was so clear that it was nearly impossible to tell that there was water in them, it looked as if you could just step on down the stairs.
SIENA! Again, it's off the...
by JessicaS
SIENA! Again, it's off the 'Venice-Florence-Rome' trek, but it's actually getting to be more popular with tourists. Siena is a step back in time. Every street begs to have its picture taken, and if you're lucky enough to be there during or near the Palio, you'll be treated to a tradition that's several hundred years old - and still going strong! Siena's patron saint, St. Catherine, left her head in the Basilica San Domenico for all to see (maybe not willingly, but there it is anyway)... The Duomo is lovely, and was intended to be much bigger (you can see the places where the pillars on either side of the nave would have been on the square outside the church) to outscale rival Firenze's Duomo... The whole city is the 'sight' - take lots of pictures! (This picture is of 'Il Campo' - Siena's main square, where everyone gathers in the evenings for the passagiatta and the nightly gelato!)
Photos
San Domenico
Column of San Domenico in the piazza
Church of San Domenico
Basilica di San Domenico
Forum Posts
New Years Eve Restaurant Recommendation
by emilia419
Can anyone recommend a restaurant for New Year's Eve? Our group of 4 is quite interested in the fabulous food of Sicily, so quality and authenticity are very important. We are ok with this being a splurge night!
Re: New Years Eve Restaurant Recommendation
by travelgourmet
I found the food and the view to be excellent at Ristorante La Buca on Corso Umberto. As to being open on New Year's Eve, you could contact them via their website and ask if they are open that night and make your reservation as well. Webite is www.ristorantelabuca.3000.it. You can also review my take by going to my Taormina restaurant tip. Happy New Year!!! Ciao
Re: New Years Eve Restaurant Recommendation
by domenicococozza
If you're happy to push the boat out on this occasion, there is a fabulous a la carte restaurant at the hotel San Domenico Palace, but you'll need to book a.s.a.p.
Day Trips from Florence Italy
by JTDallas
I will be making Florence a base stay with day trips from there. What are your suggestions or your favorite destinations near Forence?
Re: Day Trips from Florence Italy
by sandysmith
I would suggest Lucca - lovely walled town and great arhitecture.
Also the little village of Vinci - of Leonardo fame - his museum thre is fascinating, discovered so much about him there. Lovely walking area around there too. Feel free to look at pics and info on VT pages.
Re: Day Trips from Florence Italy
by Tony-da-Roma
Check out:
Pisa
Lucca
Siena
Arezzo
Chianti Region
Montepulciano
Montalcino
Pienza
S. Gimignano
Cortona
That should be a start.
Tony Polzer
Tour Operator
3 Millennia Tours - Tours of Rome
www.threemillennia.com
tony@threemillennia.com
Re: Day Trips from Florence Italy
by marcoelectric
Hi!
I have no doubt: Siena and San Giminiano, but it's just my opinion...
Then, in the previous VT replies you find other beautiful places.
Ciao, Marco
Re: Day Trips from Florence Italy
by bkoon
Pisa (Leaning Tower) for half-day to one-day.
Re: Day Trips from Florence Italy
by wcbert
See Siena, rent a car see Tuscany! But only after saw Florence.
Bill
Re: Re: Day Trips from Florence Italy
by jamesfmunro
You could add Bologna to the lists above. It's full of students and lawyers, has a big University, nice churches (San Domenico has 2 early Michelangelos) and they make a pretty decent pasta sauce.
Re: Day Trips from Florence Italy
by bb.ilgirasole
We are on the border Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio, 2 hour by car from Florence.
It is a good base stay to visit all the middle of Italy.
www.bbilgirasole.com
Thanks
Cipriani family
Re: Day Trips from Florence Italy
by MStars
Cinque Terre. . . a daytrip to the beach, about a 2 hour train ride to Monterosso. . . simply gorgeous
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