Travel Tips

Some of the 360 degree view over the vineyards and olive plantations from the top of Torre Grosse in San Gimignano.

While strolling around the wonderful historical (archaeological diggings are in progress) hilltop park you can't hardly help but notice the wonderful structure at one end, it happens to be an old Medici palace. It's a good news/bad news scenario. The good news is that it has a modern purpose so it will be looked after. The bad news is that it is a state prison!

In the fine Etruscan museum at Volterra, in addition to one of the world's finest collections of such artifacts, they have spent some time on their ceilings which I found attractive. I hope you do to.

"Casa del Cavallo" which, literally translated, means "House of the Horse" and you may come across this particular building if you wander the back streets of Siena.
Unfortunately, I don't have all the details, but I know it's something to do with the twice annual horse race, the Palio.

The standout belltower in Siena's Palazzo Pubblico attracts the eye from most places in the town but especially the famous Piazza del Campo.
As noted elsewhere, Romulus and Remus are everywhere as you will see on the projections sticking out from up on the tower.

Now, I can't remember exactly what this is but I feel some degree of certainty in thinking it's the baptismal font in Siena's wonderful church. With so much classical art and sculpture in the place I was overwhelmed!

I often wonder who enjoys statues and fountains more, us or the pigeons? Personally, I'm plumping for the pigeons, they get up close and personal, drink the water, defecate here and there. Yes, I think they come out the winners!
This is one of Italy's classic fountains, situated in the Piazza del Campo at Siena and it dates from the early 15th century though what you see here are 19th century copies, the originals are on the rear loggia of the Palazzo Publico nearby.
All the usual religious suspects are here, including Madonna and Child, Adam and Eve, the Virtues etc. Jacopo della Quercia did the originals and the fountain is still supplied by a 500 year old aqueduct.