Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2007 01:32:11 +0800
Hi
It's me again. Taking shelter from rainy weather.
Today I saw the wonderful Duomo in Siena. I can't imagine how it affected the maediaval pilgrims, who could have come from as far away as France along the via Francigena, which in those days was the way to Rome for Christians paying homage. It certainly is amazing even with large numbers of tourists and noisy groups of Italian school students. I won't try to describe it as I wouldn't be able to do it justice.
Also went to the Baptistery with bronze sculptures around the font by Donazetti depicting the beheading of John the Baptist. Also wonderful frescoes depicting the Creed. They have mirrors on the seats so you can see the details without craning your neck.
Then the crypt which apparently wasn't really the crypt, but more likely a foyer where pilgrims coming from the north could rest and prepare to enter the Duomo.It was only discovered in the 1990s as it had been full of buiding rubble from the entrance to the original cathedral. As they hadn't been exposed to air or water the frescoes had been preserved and haven't been restored.
Then as part of the same E10 ticket more works of art. I'm still not sure whether I saw the most famous painting in Siena by Ducci. I think they refer to paintings of the enthroned Mother and Child as Maestra. This phenomena was developed in Siena. There were quite a few Maestras so I as I said I'm not sure whether or not I saw the most famous.
It was nice and sunny this morning but turned to miserable rain this afternoon so I spent a few hours in my room looking out at the drizzle falling on the terracotta roof tops.
The time changed here yesterday so it won't get dark until about 8pm, but no sign of Summer weather. I'm very glad I experienced the unseasonal warmth during my first 10 days as the hilltowns can be a bit dark in gloomy weather. Especially Sienna as it is quite big and there are few views out to the surrounding countryside.
BTW I forgot to mention the Campo which is the huge irregularly shaped piazza where the famous Palio horse race is held twice a year.
I leave for Rome at 10.30 am by bus. I think it takes about 3 hours.
Well thanks for listening to my travel reports.
It's prima piatti time, which means first course - pasta which is about all I can afford at the ristorante.
Bye
Gerri
Hi
It's me again. Taking shelter from rainy weather.
Today I saw the wonderful Duomo in Siena. I can't imagine how it affected the maediaval pilgrims, who could have come from as far away as France along the via Francigena, which in those days was the way to Rome for Christians paying homage. It certainly is amazing even with large numbers of tourists and noisy groups of Italian school students. I won't try to describe it as I wouldn't be able to do it justice.
Also went to the Baptistery with bronze sculptures around the font by Donazetti depicting the beheading of John the Baptist. Also wonderful frescoes depicting the Creed. They have mirrors on the seats so you can see the details without craning your neck.
Then the crypt which apparently wasn't really the crypt, but more likely a foyer where pilgrims coming from the north could rest and prepare to enter the Duomo.It was only discovered in the 1990s as it had been full of buiding rubble from the entrance to the original cathedral. As they hadn't been exposed to air or water the frescoes had been preserved and haven't been restored.
Then as part of the same E10 ticket more works of art. I'm still not sure whether I saw the most famous painting in Siena by Ducci. I think they refer to paintings of the enthroned Mother and Child as Maestra. This phenomena was developed in Siena. There were quite a few Maestras so I as I said I'm not sure whether or not I saw the most famous.
It was nice and sunny this morning but turned to miserable rain this afternoon so I spent a few hours in my room looking out at the drizzle falling on the terracotta roof tops.
The time changed here yesterday so it won't get dark until about 8pm, but no sign of Summer weather. I'm very glad I experienced the unseasonal warmth during my first 10 days as the hilltowns can be a bit dark in gloomy weather. Especially Sienna as it is quite big and there are few views out to the surrounding countryside.
BTW I forgot to mention the Campo which is the huge irregularly shaped piazza where the famous Palio horse race is held twice a year.
I leave for Rome at 10.30 am by bus. I think it takes about 3 hours.
Well thanks for listening to my travel reports.
It's prima piatti time, which means first course - pasta which is about all I can afford at the ristorante.
Bye
Gerri
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