Marilyn's Odyssey: Siena

Siena from 1260-1348 was a major banking and trade center. With a population of over 60,000 it was even bigger than Paris and then it got hit by the bubonic plague and it's population was cut by more than half and Siena never recovered its position of power. Situated atop of three hills Siena's thriving historic center with red brick lanes cascading off in every which way it is a joy to explore.

We took a guided tour through one of the districts. After a visit to their lovely church we were treated to a dinner at their local club where we ate amongst all the local Italian families. The food was fantastic and was really fun to be in the midst of the locals enjoying a soccer match on the huge screen.

As only residents and cabs are allowed cars in the city it is so pedestrian friendly. il Campo is the heart of the city. It fans out from City Hall to creat a large amphitheater. This is where Siena's contradas or neighborhoods join and is the gathering place for tourists and locals alike. Lively restaurants and bars circle the perimeter and we spent a delightful couple of hours sipping an Aperol spritz and people watching. The square is the location of the famous Palio horse races which are held two days a year and each neighborhood sponsors a horse which is even taken into their local church to be blessed before the race.

The Duomo in Siena is absolutely stunning with art by Michelangelo and Bernini. The most outstanding feature of this cathedral were the inlaid marble floors with mosaics depicting the stories of the bible.

Eric and I also toured the old hospital in Siena which is over 1000 years old and just closed and converted to a museum in the 1990's. It goes three stories underground and as it was a Red Cross hospital it saved Siena from any bombing during the war.