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A Farmhouse in Tuscany Pt 2: A Day in Siena

© Mary Ellen Bradshaw

Siena (Sienna)

Today we leave the farm and drive to the walled medieval town of Siena, situated in the heart of Tuscany. Siena is built across three hills and valleys, with it’s feet in the famous olive and grape-growing area of Chianti.

Legend has it that Siena was named by the son of Remus, one of the two founders of Rome. His name was Senio. However, the jury is still out as many attribute the name to the Saina family, Etruscans who founded and inhabited the area. The Romans called it Saena Julia.

At one time Siena was one of the most important city-states. It reached it’s peak in the thirteen hundreds, when most of the monuments were built. However, due to the devastation of an outbreak of the Plague and the subsequent invasions over the years, in 1559 Sienna became part of Tuscany. Due to it’s beauty and well preserved Gothic Medieval buildings,today Siena is a favorite tourist location; It is also a university town of 60,000 residents and 18,000 students.

We drive through one of the gates and while Wayne parks the car; Donna and I sit and watch the comings and goings of tourists and locals alike. We wander up the hill along a narrow passageway. The streets here are for pedestrians only. However, we did see the odd motorbike. We come upon a statue on top of a pillar. It is “The wolf suckling Remus and Rommulus.” Down an alleyway to the right we spot an elegant old church, with a tiny cross on top and an ornate plaster coat of arms. It is one of the many churches that abound in Siena. There are also many palaces and museums filled with art treasures.

We follow an arrow that leads to the wonderful Piazza del Campo. As we approach we see the magnificent Torre del Mangia peeking into the passageway. It towers over the Piazza, which is the focal point of the city. This excellent shell shaped plaza is surrounded by attractive buildings and alfresco cafes shaded by pink and red umbrellas and awnings. Besides being a meeting place, the Piazza del Campos is the site of the famous Palio. This ancient four-day festival culminates in a horse race around the Piazza.

The Palio

Siena is made up of 3 Terzi, which is divided into seventeen contrade or districts. Due to space restrictions only 10 horses may race. For a jockey to be chosen to wear the colors of his district it is a great honor.