Maxfield Adventures - Living life to the Max: Eric's favorite Italy town

Friday, June 10, 2016

Eric's favorite Italy town - Siena

Siena * Il Campo * Civic tower climb * Civic Museum * Il duomo * Santa Maria Museum (Old hospital) * San Dominica Church

4.0 miles walking

We had a nice afternoon visit to Siena today, a city about 1:15 minutes from Volterra. Gratefully there were very clear signs to the Soccer stadium where we easily found a parking spot (always the first adventure when arriving at a new city). Siena is Eric's favorite city and I'd have to agree it's very charming. The streets wind and twist and at one point today while wandering we literally walked in a circle. There are so many hills in the "hill town" that the church didn't fit on the hill and they had to put the baptistery underneath to support it.

The Duomo (church) is black and white striped inside and out. It has beautiful floor panels with inlaid red and yellow marble, a product of Siena. Inside we saw the apostle Paul sculpted by Micehlangelo and John the Baptist by Donatello. It's fun to see art all over Italy by these famous artists.

There were two highlights for the kids today - First, climbing the Bell tower which was tight and steep. It gave us all a bit of vertigo, especially looking down the center shaft when we were at the top. The roof line views of Siena are beautiful (although not as beautiful as Florence). The second highlight was creepy - visiting San Dominica church which houses the head and finger of Saint Catherine. The patron Saint of Siena. Charlie had to go back for a second look before leaving - creepy.

The kids voted no pasta for dinner tonight - lucky for us the grocery story near us had a nice deli, so we bought a roasted chicken and roasted potatoes and then I made a fresh caprese salad with awesome tomatoes, mozzarella and fresh basil! Yum. Italy is the best country to feed a family - I don't know what we are going to do in France. I only know how to make crepes.