Siena

Yesterday we drove to Siena. It is the city that this region of Italy is named after. It is one of the larger cities in the area besides Firenze (Florence). In the mid 1200s to 1300s there were about 60,000 people living there. It was a major banking and trade center. THEN, what we have found in several towns in this area, is that the Black Death (Bubonic Plaque) decimated the population. In the case of Siena, 1 in 3 died. After the plaque many of the area walled cities, like Siena, we're conquers by the city-state of Florence with help of Phillip IIs Spanish army. Today the population is back to about 60,000 or so. It has one of the largest Piazzas around, a huge famous Duomo and cathedral, etc. The history is incredible here. It is easy to picture what Etruscan life and medieval living was like. Many of the streets are auto free and pedestrians rule - but we see cars and trucks In some of the most unlikely places. Many of the narrow streets are only wide enough to accommodate one car or one small delivery fan and they often work there way through the crowds of people. The artistry, carving, sculptures, etc from the 1400-1500 is incredible. We arrived early to beat traffic and caught the piazza before people arrived. That is when the shops are preparing for the day and delivery and trash people are abundant.



The large Piazza Il Campo before the crowds. Notice the service vehicles.



Another shot later in the morning. Hundreds in the piazza.



The cathedral and duomo. You wouldn't believe the inside. Ornate items everywhere there is a place to have one. There were items by Donatello and one area of sculpture by Michelangelo. The vastness and number of things to see inside were pretty overwhelming.



Part of town taken from high above the cathedral on top of the museum next door. The small looking area in front of the clock tower is the large piazza.


Typical shop with wines, cheeses and hams.

Location:Siena, Italy