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Via Petriccio e Belriguardo 97, loc. Po, Siena, Tuscany, 53100, Italy
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Inner courtyard of the Palazzo Chigi Saracini
Effects of Bad Government
Dante
The Baptistry is richly frescoed
What is the best method of travel from Rome to Siena? Specifically La Grotta di Montecchino.
Thank you!
You have (unusually for Italy) two choices for Rome to Siena.
The first is the national train. The website is www.trenitalia.com - look for "English" in the upper right. My recollection is that there are no direct trains, with about half of them changing in Chiusi. The trip will be 3 hours plus or minus and hour or more (mostly more) depending on which solution you take.
The second is by bus. There are upwards of 10 buses a day from Rome to Siena. The bus also takes about three hours, but has the virtue of not requiring you to make a change. Of course, if you don't have much luggage, changing trains won't be a big deal anyway. The English language website for the bus is http://www.senabus.it/index_e.htm
I have never taken this bus, so I don't have an informed opion on which is better...but trains are a great way to get around Italy...the only reason I mention the bus here is because this is one of those rare occasions where there is a direct bus but not a direct train.
Once you are in Siena, you will have to walk or take a bus or take a taxi out to La Grotta - see http://www.montecchino.it/eng/dove_siamo.html for information.
Bill
I spent 5 weeks in Siena last year including several trips to Rome. I have to say take the bus. The train although quicker in some ways in not a direct route and the train station is located 2km out of the city center in Siena so you'll have to take a local bus or a taxi to get into the city (unless you enjoy walking up hill for a while). The bus however stops about 5 minutes from the piazza del campo and near to all the hotels of the city in a flatter area of town so luggage won't be a problem. Just remember to get off the bus at the third stop in Siena...I first two are outside the city. The bus takes about 3 hours but it is a direct route. If you have any other questions just ask..:D
Commissioned by Cosimo I de Medici and built in 1560 to a plan of Baldassarre Lanci, the fortress was restructured in 1937, when the gardens on the ramparts were arranged in order to offer visitors magnificent views of the city and the hills from the heights of the bastions. When I visited the whole fort was transformed into a fun fair with small rides and various slot machines and arcade games.
I found this place so funny! We were walking around this urban place with buildings everywhere. Suddenly I saw a bridge and had a look over. I saw these gardens, surrounded by millions of buildings. It was nice to see a green place, tho.
During one of our lessons, my teacher Claudio has selected the topic of different restaurants in Italy. And when he explained the differences between trattoria, ristorante, osteria, enoteca etc he suddenly asked me if I would like to have lunch in one of the cutest osterie in Siena. Of course I did, and so we went there next day. Grattacielo means skyscraper and indeed the name is very appropriate: the ceiling is very low and tall people have to bend down a bit. Inside it is tiny and has three tables only, covered with red-white checkerboard tablecloth (oh sweet memories). There isn’t any menu written anywhere, the guys cook what was being offered at the markets, so seasonal. The dishes are antipasti and are displayed in the glass case at the counter. When we were there we could select from approximately 10-15 antipasti. I did choose tomato salad, potato salad, zucchini and anchovies. We had red house wine and water. Can’t say how much the bill was because Claudio invited me but I suppose it couldn’t be much, maybe 5 Euro each or a bit more.
Needless to say that all dishes were very delicious, especially the zucchini. I can only highly recommend this tiny osteria! Oh and in warmer weather there are some more tables outside. .
Directions:
From Via Banco di Sopra (that’s the road which leads off at Loggia Mercanzia to Post Office and Piazza Gramci where the bus station is) walk uphill, pass Nannini’s bakery until you come to a small piazza and church to the right (east). Look for a newsstand, a flower seller and the shop of Elena Miro a couple of metres further up on the left hand side. Turn left and at the end of this covered tiny street is Il Grattacielo.
Closed on Mondays.
Il Grattacielo on Google Maps.
© Ingrid D., November 2010 (just in case, RickS or others come along and think they can steal texts).
This square is the main attraction in Siena for its architecture, it has the shape of a shell, and it is lovely to wander here or to rest.
A large number of restaurants and bars complete the enjoyment.
This picture is taken from the top of the steep road you must walk to enter the ancient Siena.
The museo is adjacent to the Duomo, and was established in 1869 to hold the treasures of the Duomo. The building was constructed in 1348 after the plague that stopped the expansion of the Duomo because funds ran out. They had iconoclasts in every corner. The main thrill was finding a stairway-not well described- that led to the top of the ridge overlooking the museum and cathedral. From there you can see the whole city and many miles beyond. It was great visit. The statues of the facade of the duomo by Pisano done 1285-97, and frescoes inside are fabulous, and well preserved. There is the connecting baptistery that also holds a lot of treasures. The "Maesta" by Duccio is a an impressive alterpiece depicting Jesus in the arms of Mary. The stained glass window is circular and very colorful.
Hours are generely 10:30AM-7:30Pm and admission is 4 Euro
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