Siena & Monterrigio

May 15, 2011

The boys slept great in their little beds and Grandpa fed them breakfast everyday. After our breakfast, we tried out the chilly pool, and then we were off, in the cloudy weather, to Siena.
Armed with umbrellas and jackets we walked and walked and walked. The boys did a great job being out and about and in the stroller or carriers for the entire day.

The main square, Il Campo, is the heart of Siena and is pedestrian only. The Fountain of Joy and some of the panels.
Overlook of the city.
The Duomo facade. It dates from 1215 and has colorful art inside and out, from the inlaid marble floors to the stained-glass windows.
Walking into the Duomo. The large dome with it's painted illusion ceiling. Looking towards the Rose Window--created in 1288 and dedicated to the Virgin Mary. The Slaughter of the Innocents (bottom right)--Herod ordered the massacre of all babies to the prevent the coming of the promised Messiah. It reminds locals that a republic ruled by a tyrant will experience misery.
The octagonal pulpit rests on the backs of lions, and the seven panels tell the life of Christ.
We went in the Duomo Museum--we saw the stained glass Rose Window (originally from the Duomo), Duccio's Maesta (Enthroned Virgin, 1311), and the 26 panels displaying scenes from the Passion of Christ. We were unable to take pictures inside the Museum.

We climbed onto the Panorama del Facciatone for a beautiful view. Even though it was raining and cloudy, the view was still impressive.
We parked in the Fortezza (top left) parking lot. View of the Civic Museum and City Tower (top right/bottom left). View of a city street.
A better view of the City Tower and Il Campo where the Palio horse races are run twice a year. Horses and their riders race three times around the perimeter (the black stones) which is covered with dirt and mattresses pad the sharpest turns.
Ross, Janet, and the boys in front of the Civic Museum.
Porter enjoying the waterfall outside the fortress walls. Janet and I planning our day, in the rain, and under cover! The Epsteins in front of the Duomo. Family pic with beautiful Siena in the background.
After some lunch, more sightseeing, and shopping, we drove to Monteriggioni, a walled town. Janet pushed the boys around while Evan, Ross, and I walked the walls and took some pictures of the rolling hills.
I carried Porter for a while in Siena. He was so limp once he finally closed his eyes to sleep--look at that dangling arm. My favorite flowers--hydrangeas in Monterrigioni.
Janet walked another section of the walls while Ross watched the boys. Evan and I stayed up for a little longer, and this is what we found--2 happy boys being entertained by their grandparents.
On the walls of Monterrigioni. The town was built in the years 1213-1219.
The boys during lunch-our smiling cappuccino-Ross and Janet enjoying lunch.
Monterrigioni: the walls, town gate, and church.
We had perfect weather for our afternoon. We enjoyed gelato, a little shopping, and wine-tasting. Evan took these pics while entertaining the boys--love them!
Monterrigioni. It was a peaceful little town. Quiet, not crowded, and friendly.
Views from the walls.
A field of poppies on our drive. The belltower in Monterrigioni.
Our view of Monterrigioni on the way home.
Rain clouds moving in over the hills.
View of the sun setting through the quiet, peaceful rain.
Our agriturismo Verniano with a double rainbow in the background and the other side of the rainbow.
Beautiful sunset in Tuscany.