Citta di Siena
by croisbeauty
Siena is amazing city situated on a several small hills and when strolling around you constantly change up and down directions. I was very impressed by the proportions of its main attractions; Torre del Mangia, the Cathedral and the basilica of San Domenico, which can be seen from a very far distance. But most of all, I was impressed by the hospitality of the Sienese, found them much more friendly then Firentine. Last but not the least, the most of the houses in the old core of the town are unexpectedly tall, having four or even five storey's.
... and the winner is... Tartuca (Aug 2010)
by Trekki
After the Palio, it will be very obvious which contrada has won the race. The August one was won by Tartuca, the contrade where Dante School was located. And each time we went to the city, we passed Tartuca’s fountain and the showcase next to it. A pacifier in blue-yellow, the colours of Tartuca, was hanging at the little pole and Claudio explained me that this is a sign for Tartuca’s victory. The idea is that a Palio victory is considered as birth or rebirth of the contrada and many contradaioli hang pacifiers around their neck and suck on them. Many also have baby bottles filled with wine after the race. On the streets in Tartuca little turtles were painted on the pavement, of course in the contrada's colours (photo 2). Another sign of the victory.
© Ingrid D., December 2010.
Oh so delicious Senese pastry at Bini’s
by Trekki about Bini
Like most of Italian towns, Siena also has its typical and very much delicious pastries. The most famous place to buy these is most probably Nannini’s, the shop of Gianna and Alessandro Nannini’s family. But there are others and I am happy that my host Orietta made myself to know Bini. It is located in s a street where most of the tourists won’t pass by (= i.e. outside of the axis Campo - Duomo). Most of our evenings, Orietta put one of Bini’s delicious pastries as dessert on the table and it was very difficult to chose which one I liked most. But at the end it was clear that it was ricciarelli, almond and marzipan sweets, shaped like an almond (and said to represent the Madonna’s eyes). The other specialities of Bini were cantuccini (although they are a typical middle Italian pastry) and the famous panforte. The shop has a huge window where one can watch the pasticciere at work. Someone even made a video about Bini, which I have added to the website section below (4 minutes). On my last day I bought some of Bini’s specialities:
Panforte (500 g cake): 10 Euro, ricciarelli (300 g): 7,20 Euro.
Directions:
On the way from Campo to the duomo continue to walk through Via di Città continue on this road, which becomes Via di Stalloreggi now, instead of turning right to the duomo at the column with wolf & twins on top. Bini is at the left just next to the arch at the end of this street.
Bini on Google Maps
© Ingrid D., November 2010.
FANTASIA DI CROSTINI
by randychiara about GUIDO RESTAURANT
VERY GOOD CROSTINOS,SALADS, HOMEMADE PASTA WITH RICOTTA AND VEGGIES, PAPPARDELLE WITH BOAR SAUCE, SPELT SOUP, OSSOBUCO ALLA SENESE, BEEF WITH SPINACH. THEY SERVE VERY GOOD HOME MADE DESSERTS AS WELL
THE WAITERS ARE VERY VERY KIND.
Duomo - a perfect Gothic monument
by aukahkay
Dominating the Piazza del Duomo is the Duomo- a sensational building to which only the cathedrals of Milan and Orvieto come close. Its awe-inspiring facade, a Gothic and Romanesque mix of carvings, pillars, and intricate decorative detail, was largely the work of the Pisan architect and sculptor, Giovanna Pisano.
Siena, San Francesco window
View for Siena from the top of the facciatone
Interior Courtyard
piccola fontana nella contrada della pantera
