Siena... Tuscany

In Siena we are staying in a restored farmhouse with 5 rooms for accomodation. The breakfasts are fabulous and this morning we got to eat outside in the yard...although it was a bit chilly.

We spent the day in the town which is built on 3 hilltops. It has narrow red brick lanes which are mostly pedestrian but you never know when a car or even small bus will approach. There are large courtyards and tiny shops and restaurants. 

The main courtyard...il Campo 

We toured the Duomo which was built in 1215. It has unbelievable Renaissance striped columns and inlaid marble floors. 

Look up ....way up !!!

Inside 

The marble inlaid floors were built from 1373-1547 and it took 40 artists to lay the floor with scenes from the Old Testament and intricate patterns. The floor is only uncovered for 3 months a year so we were lucky by chance :)

The library ... 10 frescos on the ceiling built in the 1400's ...each scene framed with an arc. The frescos have never had to be restored. They said there has always been good natural light in this room so there was no need for candles. It is the soot from burning candles that tarnish the pictures. They were sooo bright and vivid !!

We climbed 135 stairs straight up in a spiral to get to the top of the old annex of the church.

We both loved Siena... the sights were fabulous including the full intact wall around the city.... the food was outstanding....and it was the first city we have visited without a McDonalds or Starbucks ;)