Siena
We had always intended to use Florence as a base and explore the neighbouring towns so we travelled by bus to Siena to get out into the country and to see the old square the cathedral and the city walls. Our initial challenge was to find the station for busses to Siena that is relatively well hidden near the main Firenze Railway Station. There we discovered other Australians (of course) waiting for the same bus.
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On the bus to Siena
Siena is a world heritage site and one of the most popular tourist spots in Italy. It was founded by the Etruscans and legend has it that two sons of Remus (brother of Romulus) came here with a she wolf hence the symbol of the city is similar to that of Rome.
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Symbol of the City
It features a unique bowl-like town square or semi-circle the Piazza del Campo, that's like a shallow Greek amphitheatre without the seats. At its focus not a stage but the Palazzo Pubblico (the town hall), with its iconic high tower. I was interested to learn that here is an annual horse race around this square. While contemplating this I noticed a dead pigeon in the fountain overlooked by a congregation of saints. Symbolic?
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Piazza del Campo
The other major attraction is the cathedral - The Duomo. It's built on a very steep hillside and can be approached from below. An elaborate facade faces the upper square.
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Duomo di Siena - It contains very elaborate floors depicting mainly women - cordoned off to prevent tourist scuffs
But it also contains some most unusual three dimensional sculptures and reliefs.
Presumably the immodest man displaying his wears is Adam, being expelled from Eden with a naked Eve
The ecstatic young woman with her foot on a bowl and provocatively projecting leg is naked to the waist.
She's in a small chapel dedicated to Mary. But which one? Magdalene I suppose. Pure erotica.
And what on earth are three Greek (or Roman) muses doing in a Christian Cathedral?
Much of the town is steep and it is surrounded by impressive fortified walls appropriate to its long history of conflict with other parts of Italy, the Spanish and even the Byzantines.
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A town positioned for defence
Today it's a university town and is making contributions to biotechnology research.