Click on any photo to see a larger version | HOME
Our train from Rome to Siena stopped for a transfer at Chiusi. It was not an eventful trip. We met a nice couple from Louisiana, who were also headed to Siena. At Chiusi, we were surprised to learn the rest of the trip would be by bus, about 1.5 hours!! I had a window seat and the scenery was beautiful! Wayne was on the aisle and the long and winding road almost got the best of him. The road went up and around and around and then down and around and then around the other way! There were lights to stop oncoming traffic because they and the bus would not fit on the road together! This would not be a trip for anyone subject to motion sickness or fear of tight situations.
We eventually got to Siena. We then took a taxi to a quaint hotel in the heart of the old city. Siena is beautiful! We found the restaurant that Tony’s daughter’s boyfriend Giuseppe worked. He made our time special with an excellent meal, desert, and wine.
Before we went back to restaurant for dinner we went to the Il Campo, or the city center. We climbed the 330-foot tower at Il Campo and enjoyed the spectacular view from the top of all Siena. Of course, keep in mind that we are talking about steps constructed 600+ years ago, long before pitch, width, and handrail codes. Narrow passageways, steep steps that slant forward, no hand rails, etc. Then we wandered the streets and saw the Dumo Cathedral, and just enjoyed the beauty of the city.
The next morning we completed our stay by visiting San Dominico to see St. Catherine’s preserved head and thumb! She had died in the 1300’s!!! Her thumb was on a little stand (somewhat like an egg holder!) and her head was in a box on the alter! Most strange I guess you had to be from Siena in the 1300’s to appreciate it!
Now back to the train for our trip to Florence.