A trip to Tuscany-Siena

On the second day of my trip to Tuscany, we took a closer look at Siena. Konrad is currently doing his Erasmus year and I was kindly allowed to sleep with him in the shared apartment. So this place also became my vacation home for five days. We then did all the other day trips from Siena.

Siena itself is not particularly big. With around 53,000 inhabitants, Siena is located in the middle of Tuscany and is one of the most beautiful cities in this area. The city is popular for its medieval old town, which is also a world cultural heritage site. The cityscape has always been shaped by young people, as Siena is home to one of the oldest universities in Italy.

The city of Siena is divided into 17 contrade. The name of the districts. They are all represented by 14 different animals and the tower, the wave and the forest. In each different part of the city there is a fountain that represents the symbol. Like here on the first (the rhinoceros) and on the third (the turtle). Twice a year one of the toughest horse races in the world takes place on the large square (the second photo of all, with the large tower). The different contrades then compete against each other at the “Palio de Siena”.

Another famous attraction is the cathedral. Its white and black marble stripes make it look very special. It was created from a former basilica. Starting in the 13th century, it took more than a hundred years until it was finally completed. At the beginning of the 14th century they wanted to enlarge the church again. In the end, they didn't get very far because they ran out of money. Only the north side nave and the facade remain. Today you can see the view of Siena from above on parts of the facade. A museum can now be visited in parts of the attached ship.

The inside of the cathedral is also decorated in black and white tones. There are large marble floor paintings in different colors all over the floor. More than 50 fields covering the entire floor, a unique work of art in the world. Some stories from the Bible, scenes from antiquity or from prophets and sibyls (prophetess who prophesy the future without being asked) are depicted.
In order to protect the floor images, they are often covered so that you cannot always see them all.

This room houses the Piccolomini library. The frescoes, i.e. wall paintings, are very famous and come from the Italian painter Pinturicchios. They show the life of the later Pope Pius III.

There is a collection of choir books in the library.

Siena's old town consists only of small streets and alleys that wind between the houses. For some people you really wonder how a car can fit through there, but somehow it works. However, we always traveled on foot, which was easier and certainly quicker.

And then you turn the corner and instantly you find a beautiful courtyard or balcony.

Siena is super hilly and mountainous, sometimes tiring, but you are periodically rewarded with great views of the city. Even more beautiful in such bright sunshine.

And then in the evening we went up to the Fortezza Medicae fortress to watch the sunset. That was a very nice end to the day and you could see the city again from a different perspective.