Siena in the heart of Tuscany

Saturday ~ March 20, 2010
We took a day trip to the old walled medieval city of Siena (about 2 ½ hours from Rome. Siena, like other Tuscan hill towns, was first settled in the time of the Etruscans (c. 900 BC to 400 BC).

Piazza del Campo - the largest piazza in Italy is famous for it's horse races held twice a year. This photo makes Elder Burt appear to be inside the arch.

The steps leading up to the Duomo.

Getting ready to pay our 3 euro to enter the Duomo.

The tower gives you a hint of the alternate layers of black and white marble within.
Inside the Duomo you see the beautiful variegated marble columns.
These frescoes within the Duomo Piccolomini Library look as vibrant as the day they were painted, 550 years ago.
Michelangelo's statue of Paul above the Piccolomini alter.
Old wall within the city.
Walking up a narrow street lined with fish lights.
At the top a fountain of fish.
Looking back through an arch at the tower in Piazza del Campo.
Laundry hanging from the windows.
Sights of old town Siena.

A turtle fountain and a golden mime.

Baskets of fruit and giant chocolate Pasqua (Easter) eggs.

High priced jewlrey and pottery for the rich.

Delicious gelato!

These four women were delightful to watch.Souviner stop anyone? By following a map we found the pottery studio of Ceramiche Artistiche S. Caterina. The owner Marcello (shown here) gave us a personal tour. He and his wife and their son, prepare all the ceramics for their shop, from preparing the clay, to pouring molds, to firing in the kelns, to hand painting. He is an unbelieveable 84 years old!

Elder and Sister Sommerfeldt and Elder Burt walking down a steep slope, heading home after another great day!