Borgo di Tuopino …Chianti heartland and stunning Siena

We wake up to find that after last night’s rain rather than improving the weather has turned worse…so a rain day, no touring just some housekeeping, blogging and planning the next steps. The next few days slowly get better although rather than sunny skies over the vineyards we get clouds and a smattering of rain. Nevertheless, time is running out and there are sights to see…so we drive the famous SR222 wine route looking at the countryside and visiting some of the towns: Castellana in Chianti, Radda in Chianti, Greve in Chianti …and in the evenings tasting the products: click on images to enlarge…

This morning the forecast is much, much better and we head out early to Siena, which is a mere 30 minutes away, we arrive at 08:30, park our vehicle, and head for the Duomo. There is a heavy fog that hangs over the streets giving them a bit of a spooky feel. Arriving at the Piazza del Campo, which is regarded as one of Europe’s greatest medieval squares this is really evident.

As well there are hundreds of quite excited cyclists milling around…I speak with one of them who is from Austria and ask him about his bike…rather than an ultra-light, carbon fiber machine it resembles my old French racing bike…apparently cycling enthusiasts from all over Europe come to this annual event called the  ‘L’Eroica which hosts 7000 entrants at the start line…I wish him success in the race and we move on.

Checking it out later I learn that this is an annual non-competitive vintage cycling event that has taken place since 1997. The theme of the event is to experience vintage cycling as it was during the golden years of Italian Cycling in the ’40s and ’50s, with participants riding vintage steel bikes, accessories, and old school clothing, the route is often on “Strade Bianche” translated as white gravel roads common to this region.

The Duomo (Siena Cathedral) dates back to medieval times dedicated from its earliest days as a Roman Catholic Marian church, and now as the Assumption of Mary. We are a bit early to get tickets so we do a bit of a walkabout… 

… heading first for the Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina > Saint Caterina has a long resume of devoutness and apparently was instrumental in bringing Pope Gregory XI and the curia back to Rome (from Avignon)…. in any event the sanctuary had a very peaceful feeling …it helped we were the first ones there, as a sister was just finishing setting out fresh flowers…

 

Then onwards to the Basilica Cateriniana san Domenico which was built between 1226 and 1265 with many changes, renovations, etc. thereafter.

…an immense building, rather austere inside, however, there was one stained glass I found intriguing as it differed from the normal religious figures we have seen …

Heading back to the Duoma there is an excellent panoramic viewpoint ….Siena has a lot of up and down which give rise to some good photo opps…

As could be expected it is an impressive cathedral ornate and dramatic …what struck me were the mosaics inlaid into the floor.  Most have a rectangular shape, but the later ones in the transept are hexagons or rhombuses. They represent the sibyls, scenes from the Old Testament, allegories, and virtues. Most are still in their original state and they are remarkable. We were lucky because they are often covered with carpets to help preserve them.

 

 

The copula of the Duomo is simply stunning, one can only wonder about the efforts it took to create this:

Aside from the actual cathedral, there are chapels, the crypt, library each with its own marvels…click to enlarge images

After visiting the Duomo we opt to climb to the top of Torre del Mangia which entails 400 steps in a tight, slightly claustrophobic spiral staircase ….as a  reward however there are some outstanding views of Siena and its storied buildings…

What a difference a few hours make as we returned to Piazza Il Campo where earlier that morning the piazza was fog enshrouded …now folks are sunning themselves, eating gelato, and otherwise enjoying the day:

And another day is successfully completed …Siena is well worth visiting and even spending a night or two !!