River City Food and Wine: Siena

Saturday, May 14, 2011

Siena

We spent a Sunday in Siena. A bit of a longer train ride from Florence, but still easy to visit. The station was located further away, but we decided to hoof it instead of taking the bus. While Florence is nestled in a valley with the Arno River flowing through it, Siena is located on a hill. As we climbed to the top of the hill from the station we saw runners participating in a race.

Running in Siena

Siena featured narrow streets and were filled with wonderful retail shops. Numerous folks were out for a stroll and window shopping, similar to us strolling Carytown or visiting Merchants Square in Colonial Williamsburg.

Narrow street. No cars (or scooters)

Strolling

Gelateria

Colorful ceramics

Sacred artistry

Freshness

Sweets

Linens

The main cathedral was extremely ornate. We did not have much time and did not pay the admission fee to enter. We were content to admire the outside.

Cathedral

Horse carving

Campanile

The town square or Piazza del Campo (really shaped like a fan) was the gathering spot. Twice in the summer dirt is thrown over the bricks and cobbles and the Palio di Siena or horse race takes place. I can't imagine the crowds or how the horses successfully navigate the course.

Pictures of Palio horses hung on buiildings

Vendor on Piazza del Campo

Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia

Fountain in the Piazza dle Campo

Eating establishments abound

Hanging out in the sun

On this day we only had to contend with a few visitors. We randomly picked an outside eating establishment for lunch called Il Campo. Numerous restaurants lined the public gathering spot. All had outdoor seating and adequate umbrellas to ward off the sun. We enjoyed penne pasta with red sauce and grilled beef steak with roasted potatoes. The house wine was dreadful and the only wine that was barely drinkable while we were in Italy.