Sienna, Italy. Day 158 September 16th 2018
Arriving in Sienna from Greve with little knowledge of the city except it sounded quieter than other Italian cities, we had two days and an apartment booked in the old town. The bus set us down somewhere in the city and after our usual walk to the left, walk to the right and walk to the left again – we found our way towards the main square.
As reward for hauling our bags over cobbled streets in the heat we treated ourselves to lunch and a cold beer. Finding a cafe along a narrow street – which Google maps assured us was close to or apartment. A pleasant pasta lunch in a friendly café then on to an even friendlier apartment block via narrow streets lined with brick and stone buildings.
Up several flights of stairs we were invited into an older style small apartment overlooking a courtyard. Cool, pleasant and comfortable.
A quick unpack and off to explore the old city on the hillside. A walk up and up to a view over a tree filled valley and hillsides lined with raggedly placed earth coloured buildings, churches on the hilltops and small piazza.
Walking back we discovered a lively market in the piazza near our apartment. A place to purchase my souveneir earrings. Large drop paste earrings mimicking precious stones. The piazza lined with castle like buildings of earthen coloured brick. A colourful show of Bougainvillea around the walls and turrets peering over the top.
Narrow streets where cars squeezed through impossible spaces, buildings overhang the streets. Painted tiles decorate houses along with banners and flags adding colour to the narrow streets.
As evening set we found ourselves at the Duomo – strong competition for the Duomo in Florence. An entrance façade of intricate decoration set off by the layered arches over the doors, a large round window above the entrance topped with a frescoe.
Black striping along the cream sides and towers. Colours changing as the bright blue sky changed with the sunset.
With night the sky turned a deep navy blue and the Duomo shone as the night lights lit the exterior. We found a bar under the walls of the Doumo to enjoy the late evening.
