May 6 : Siena

We were going to have to accomplish a lot this day, as we needed to do laundry and discover the city. Sleeping in until 9:30 did not contribute to the cause, but it definitely contributed to the needed rest our bodies needed. 

Eventually we were on our way into the city, armed with a full bag of laundry. As we arrived at Piazza Gramsci we noticed a huge market on Viale Cesare Maccari, the road leading to our first stop, Piazza de la Liberta in the Fortezza Medicea. I had read that Siena has a Wednesday market and since it was a Wednesday Market, and since it was Wednesday it all made sense. After strolling through that we walked around the perimeter of the fortress which offered stunning views of both Siena and Tuscany. By looking at our city map we identified the sites we wanted to visit, so we strategically headed towards the Basilica di S. Dominico. On the map it looked like a rather gook looking building but from up close it was rather ugly. Conor and I had alternate views - he found the building charming because it made a statement without trying too hard - I thought it did not try enough. We visited a few Basilicas while in Siena and it was remarkable how stark the difference they are from every other one we have seen.

The Siena Basilicas were huge - wooded roofed virtually empty buildings - not quite my style. Perched above the rest of the city is the Duomo. As we approached it, it was obvious that it used the same color scheme as the Florence Duomo. We bought tickets for 10 Euros that gave us access to the Duomo, crypt, "Museo dell Opera" and the baptistry. 

The Duomo was fascinating. It was a little eerie because there were tombs of several "Brothers" in the church. We then went to the museum - we skimmed through the art collection (neither of us are incredibly interested in that) and made our way to the roof for a panoramic view of Siena and its Tuscan environment. I was starved by that point but we first had to maximize our ticket by visiting the crypt and Baptistry. We made our way to the laundry mat, started a wash and then found lunch. I have realized that I become quite unpleasant and irritable when I am hungry. I was much more pleasant after lunch and thanked Conor for his patience. We hung out at the laundry place while our laundry finished up (We didn't want any Italian hooligan making off with our stuff). Since Siena is surrounded by a wall, there are only 8 gated entrances. We walked to a main entrance, Porta Tuffi and then double backed towards Il Campo. By this time we had walked a huge portion of the city but weren't done yet. We headed towards Basilica di S. Francesco as it looked like one of the bigger ones. Just like the first Basilica we visited, it was rather (in my opinion) lacking esthetic value. I don't know if Siena was built quickly as the rivalry with Florence increased, but the buildings seem (the Basilicas) they were built to occupy space and be huge spaces all strategically placed adjacent to the city wall. Their height leads me to believe that they must have been used as defence tactics. We then headed down to another opening in the wall, Porta Olive. Our stomachs were reminding us of their need to be fed so we headed back up the hill. 

Instead of wandering the streets of Siena all night we remembered that our campground had a restaurant, so we left Siena for the last time, bound for the campsite. Dinner was rather exceptional and priced to made our budget happy. All the walking we are doing is being rewarded with beer and pizza, 2 things you can't go wrong with (and can always find). 

We had to pack up our stuff, obviously drink another bottle of wine, and go to bed. We head to Rome early tomorrow morning and need to leave our little cabin by 6:30.

Siena was a great little city full of picturesque buildings and surrounded by stunning Tuscan landscape. We could not have asked for better weather (it was once again beautiful and sunny). Siena is another city that is being added to out list of recommended places to visit.

P.S. I love you Conor.