In Siena

May 7, 2022

I had 5 day ride options ready for today, but we opted for a day off the bikes instead. All those options were loops to the south, and very idea of riding out of Siena and back in again was exhausting. Plus, we’d already had two hilly days for our first rides in months and tomorrow’s route will be both longer and hillier.

So, more time to explore Siena.

Our first venture was last evening:

What’s down there? It’s Il Campo! Can we climb that tower? Yes!

The Duomo. Originally intended to be larger than the one in Florence, it was never completed but is still imposing.

At lunch yesterday, the daily special was not a “choose a first course, choose a second course” menu of the day, so Al decided to have one from each of the groups: a primo (pasta), a secondo (he thought it’s soup but I was more octopus stew), and a contourno (accompaniment) of fried zucchini. I just ordered pasta. The portions were much larger than the menu del giorno the previous day, so we were both stuffed. A light dinner was in order. We decided to share a pizza and a salad and this left room for dessert. I wasn’t sure what I was getting when I ordered “Cantucci fatti in casa con vin santo deities Chianti classico” but this is what came:

Once it arrived, I remembered reading about this classic treat from Florence. It was good, though 8€ was rather steep. The pizza was the same price.

This morning, our only goal was to climb the Torre del Mangia, built c. 1340 and one of Italy’s tallest secular towers. Otherwise, just roaming.

On Il Campo, near the base of the Torre del Mangia

While we were waiting for our time to climb the tower, we heard drums. A parade! But it had passed by before we got to see it. We heard it again shortly after coming back down, though.

These iron rings are everywhere, as are supports for contrade flags

It was just after I took this photo that we heard the drums again so we raced to look.

The Oca (goose) contrada was parading today

What’s a contrada? I remembered reading about them, but here’s a good description Siena contrada life and an illustration of the territories and their symbols from that source:

Image not found :( — Another iron ring in a wall…

Via Santa Caterina. The 2022 edition of the pro race came up this street but today the Oca contrada is celebrating something.

One of the guards, guarding the entrance to something and trying not to laugh while being teased n’y non-costumed friends

Creation of Adam panel, Fonte Gaia in Il Campo

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Kathleen ClassenSuch a beautiful spot. We are enjoying your blog immensely. Siena was one of our favourite spots when we continued our trip after my sojourn in the Garmisch hospital. Your pictures are reminding me of how amazing it was.
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1 year ago

Jacquie GaudetTo Kathleen ClassenIt is beautiful! And it seems the time is going by so fast! I guess that’s because it took so long to actually get here (originally planned and booked in 2019).
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1 year ago

Scott AndersonGreat idea to stay in town and get a proper look. You’re right, Siena is wearing to bike in and out of anyway. Great pics!
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1 year ago