Siena

We spent a few hours in Siena today. Our first stop was the Piazza Il Campo - the main square.

 

I am not sure if these little guys had a function other than decorative but they sure were cute.

 

 

There was also this nice fountain. A favorite with the pigeons.

 

 

This is the bell tower in the square.

 

 

And this is the square as seen from standing in front of the bell tower.

 

 

We also visited the amazing Duomo (cathedral) and Baptistery.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Then there are the cool ceilings.

 

 

 

 

And the floors.

 

 

 

 

 

And the pulpit ...

 

 

And the stained glass ...

 

 

The Piccolomini Library with frescoes from the 1400s ...

 

 

 

And illuminated music scores ...

 

 

And the museum with its treasures ...

 

 

 

 

 

And the Baptistery ...

 

 

 

And its unusual floor ...

 

 

And, of course, no day in Italy is complete without gelato!

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Chianciano & Castellina in Chianti

Our first stop today was the Etruscan Museum in Chianciano.

 

 

The Etruscan culture is very interesting and our guide was excellent. The museum has a collection of funerary urns that our guide has given nicknames to.

 

This one is called 'George Bush'.

 

 

This is 'Darth Vader'.

 

 

And this is 'Fonzie' because of his two thumbs up.

 

 

We weren't told a name for this one.

 

 

This is an Etruscan lazy susan.

 

 

And an interesting urn for oil or water.

 

 

They also made some amazing jewelry.

 

 

 

After the museum we went to a nearby "slow food" Agriturismo restaurant where we were given a cooking lesson and prepared our own lunch.

 

 

After lunch we went on to our hotel in Castellina in Chianti which is amazing. They will probably have to drag us all out of here when it is time to leave.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is our room.

 

 

The steps go up to the bathroom.

 

 

Posted with Blogsy

Orvieto & Civita di Bagnoregio

We had a free morning in Orvieto today so I took a few more photos. And I forgot to mention that to get into the town of Orvieto you have to take an elevator up the side of the mountain from the parking area. Locals are able to drive up to the town but visitors must park below and take the elevator.

 

This is the sign for our hotel - I love that dragon!

 

 

This is a side view of the front of the Orvieto cathedral.

 

 

 

Some other scenes from around town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the afternoon we visited Civita di Bagnoregio which can only be accessed via a bridge. This is a view of Orvieto on our way to Civita.

 

 

This is the approach to Civita.

 

 

 

And looking back from Civita.

 

 

 

Below are some photos from our wander around town. The first is of the main piazza.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We decided to have a beer before our trek back from Civita. We found this wonderful bar with tables in a modified Etruscan cistern. The way in was down some steep steps.

 

 

Inside the cistern was very cozy.

 

 

 

Posted with Blogsy