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Siena Travel Guide: 890 reviews and 2,681 photos
I liked Siena, even though I spent the first hour or so hopelessly lost and miles away from the centre. This was because the bus from Florence stopped by an enormous market, absolutely huuuuuuuuge, which stretched all round the ramparts (I later realised), and inevitably drew me in to explore. Everything one could want: clothes, scarves (half the price of those in Florence), shoes, tools, food.....and the vast majority of people shopping there were Italian, which pleased me no end.
What didn't please me was getting lost (this is not something I regularly do, though it seems to be my fate when visiting the Florence area) although the fact that all the stalls had large tarpaulins to provide shade (but entirely blocking any view) made my confusion more undersandable, I hope. And, eventually, I met two ladies from Bangor, Wales in the ladies' loo (of course), and they were able to set me on my way.
Once I had extricated myself from the market, and finally oriented my feet towards the centre of Siena, I was pleasantly surprised. I've always found Florence to be somewhat oppressive (a combination of narrow streets and shade and rustication on so many buildings, I think) but Siena seemed much more open and light. Little rustication but beautiful 'palaces', slightly wider streets, slightly lower buildings .......and the ochre colour of the stone made everything mellow and golden. Full of foreign visitors, of course (ok, I know I'm one too) but less frenzied than Florence, more a place with a real life away from tourism....
Siena was indeed crowded; too crowded for me really (I tend to try and visit places out of season), with individuals and parties and even school groups (including one group of tiny German children, average age 4......why???). So I didn't go into any of the main attractions. I'd have liked to explore the icing-sugar-pink twiddly Duomo (I loved the way the crane involved with renovations seemed purposefully designed to blend in) but the queue was too long and I am an impatient soul. So I explored the outside instead, discovering my first 'foreign' green man carving in the process (which pleased me mightily).
And I explored the alleyways, and S. Domenico, and sat for a while in both the Piazza del Duomo and the Campo, just watching and listening and thinking. Then I'd had enough really, so wandered back to the bus stop.
Siena is worth visiting; loads of things to see, and a most pleasant place. Rather good ice-cream too...........have to admit I managed 4 flavours in three hours or so, all from Nanini's (excellent place, easily missed, see tips). Most scrummy, and much needed at the time (my excuse). There are regular buses from Florence, and it's dead easy really..........if you travel on the Express service, as I did, you'll have the dubious pleasuere of experiencing Italian motorway driving in the raw. I won't sit at the front on a double-decker again, I think, even though the view was excellent (bit too good, to be honest)!
- Pros:Full of history, lovely stone, wonderful gelato..and a good market!
- Cons:Lots of visitors, I'm afraid, even out of season.
- In a nutshell:Siennese stonework mellow in the sun.
Reviews (8)
Recycling buildings.........
Off The Beaten Path
(7)
One of the things I love about historical towns is the way buildings have been re-built, re-used and recycled over the... more travel advice
Beautiful carving..........
Off The Beaten Path
(7)
Whilst in the church of S. Domenico, do look at the beautiful wooden carving of Christ which is displayed on the wall of... more travel advice
St Catherine's bits and...
Off The Beaten Path
(7)
You'll no doubt visit S. Domenico, founded in 1125 and one of Siena's most important churches. And you'll probably note... more travel advice
Look for angels.
Off The Beaten Path
(7)
I always go angel-spotting when around old religious buildings. Not because I believe in them (because I don't) but... more travel advice
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Comments (4)
oh i must get to siena and have some ice cream!
I love Siena!. I was here last summer and loved it.
Love the intro picture. Great tips and pics. Thanks! Tracey
Hi J, fascinating little page here! I only learnt yesterday that Medieval sculptors based their work on real people whilst I was visiting Penshurst Place. (The Green Man figure is an important part of local festivals in some places in Sussex too!)