Local Pep Rally
by rexvaughan
Our first day in Siena, we were just exploring the narrow and hilly streets around the Campo when we heard drums approaching and soon encountered what we would call in the US a full blown pep rally. This was a couple of weeks before the July 2 Palio (a second is held August 16) and obviously the festivities had already begun. The parade we encountered was one of the 17 "contradas" or districts which make up the city. There were 40-50 young men in identical medieval costumes of royal blue and bright yellow who were carrying banners of the same colors witha large turtle in the center. They were followed by a band, women pushing babes in strollers, other women and a group of men lustily singing. The group was from the Tartuca (turtle) contrada gearing up for the equestrian melee which was coming. Evidently the prize in this race is simply bragging rights. Unfortunately we were not there for the Palio, but it must be quite a spectacle iwht 15,000 people jamming the square for the race. As we wandered around we noticed the street lamp standards all bore the colors of their contrada. As near as I could tell, we were staying in the Contrada of the Owl.
Libreria Piccolomini - in perfect condition
by globetrott
Libreria Piccolomini is in a perfect condition, it actually looks as if it would be completely newly restored.
BUT it is still the original colors, preserved perfectely as the climate inside the room was always kept equal and the room was never used a lot.
Do some people watching
by Herkbert about Bar Il Palio
Great little place to stop for a drink or a light snack. Located right on the edge of the il Campo, it's a great place to relax and do some people watching.
We happened to be there the day they were filming the new James Bond movie. Didn't see the stars, it looked like they were filming a sequence that would be a scene during the Palio. Just a guess, but we'll see the movie to see if we can match up the scene.
Siena - give it at least 24 hours
by globetrott
I had 24 hours in Siena, end of March 2003...
What a great place and how many great places and museums to explore...
Once that you have parked your car, you may do all the sights by walking up and down the small hills of Siena.
You will almost find NO street or square in the old city, that is totally even and flat.
On my pic : Piazza del Campo and Palazzo Publico, the townhall
Beautiful facade & interior
by BorneoGrrl
The facade of the Duomo is a busy blend of everything (a mix of Gothic and Romanesque), from pretty white & pink marbles to its 19th century mosaics. If you are lucky, there will be no restoration works being done on the facade because if you can, it's best to see the whole facade exposed without the scaffoldings or covers
Inside the Duomo contains works by many artists and not forgetting the floors inlaid in marble with its spectacular depictions of Siena's history & religious messages. There is also a room which was a library that house tapestries & hymn books still vividly colored as if they were written a few years ago. This was because the library was seldom used and therefore not exposed to light. Another attraction is the famous Gothic octagonal pulpit by Nicola Pisano (1266–1268) supported on lions and of course carved in marble
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Sylvain & I at the Enoteca Italiana's wine bar
Effects of Good Government
Duomo
The frescoes are by Pinturicchio
