siena.

Buongiorno!

Today, I went on a hike! Finally. It was really good. It was short, but exhausting! So keep an eye out for a post about it hopefully either today or tomorrow (probably tomorrow, since I have the whole day off).

To continue with the good news, I bought a card reader the other day, on my dad’s suggestion, and was able to get all my photos loaded onto my computer! So, if you take a look back at my other posts within the next few days, I’ll be adding some pictures to them. :)
Now for the bad news. Unfortunately, I’ve come down with a cold. There was something going around the residence, which now I’ve apparently caught. So the plan for tomorrow is to rest and relax, in hopes of getting better before it gets worse. I have some reading for class, so that’s probably what I’ll do.

Anyway, I’ve been wanting to write about the city that has become our temporary home for these 5.5 weeks: Siena. So here it is!

Siena is a gorgeous medieval walled city. This city sticks to its traditions, especially il Palio, a horse race which has been run in Siena since the 1200s. One of the most interesting things about Siena, to me, is how the Palio shapes the city. The city is divided into 17 contrade (neighbourhoods, basically). The contrade compete against each other each year in the Palio. But, I don’t want to say too much. I’m going to write specifically about the Palio this weekend after it has been run.

In the centre of the city lies its huge, shell-shaped piazza, Piazza del Campo (as I’ve mentioned before, this literally means “Field Square”). This piazza was completed in the 1340s. At the bottom of this sloping piazza is the Palazzo Pubblico, a gothic building, which was, and still is, the seat of the Sienese government. Now, especially at this time of year (what with the gorgeous weather and the Palio coming up this weekend) the Campo is usually full of tourists, since it is surrounded by shops and cafes, but at night it’s a really great place to go with a group of people to sit and drink a bit of wine.

In the Campo, there is a really beautiful fountain, Fonte Gaia (or “Fountain of Joy”). Apparently, this fountain was actually a replacement for another, older fountain. The older fountain portrayed Venus. In 1348, however, during the time of the plague, the church in Siena believed the city was being punished for displaying a pagan symbol. The original fountain was thus destroyed, and buried in Florentine territory with the hopes of passing the curse to Florence. Unfortunately, I have not yet taken a picture of it, but when I do, I'll add it.

The city is divided into thirds, or terzi, which radiate out from the Piazza del Campo. According to my guide book, each third has a different character. The Terzo di Città is the oldest third and is characterised by many, many backstreets and lanes. One thing I want to mention is this is what I love about Italy, from what I’ve seen so far in Siena and Florence. There’s always something to be found on a “backstreet,” be it a café or a little shop or a little museum. In Siena I never feel isolated turning down a small, narrow street, as I might in Toronto. Anyway, this terzo is also home to the Duomo (cathedral) and Santa Maria della Scala.

Then there is the Terzo di Camollia which is where the major shopping is in Siena. I believe this is also the most crowded area, from what I can tell. The Porta Camollia in this terzo faces Florence, which has always been Siena’s greatest rival.

Finally, there is the Terzo di San Martino, which includes more Renaissance buildings.

The reason Siena even exists is pilgrimage. The via Francigena was the road pilgrims and merchants followed from Northern Europe to Rome. It could be a dangerous journey. When first entering Northern Italy, travellers were met with malarial swamps in the west, and bandits in the east. The safest route was through Siena. Hospitals and banks began to develop for the travellers. This is the only way Siena could thrive economically, as there is no river nearby on which goods could have been transported. Because Siena was also a banking city, and Florence is not too far away, these two cities have always been rivals.

Just as a bit off interesting information, Catherine of Siena is Siena’s patron saint, as well as a patron saint of Italy (St. Francis is the other patron saint), a patron saint of Europe, and a Doctor of the Church. She was born in 1347, and was one of 25 children. She had visions as a child, and declared at age 7 that she was going to remain a virgin for her entire life. She refused to be married off, and lived for three years as a hermit. Apparently, she regularly flagellated herself, she had a stone for a pillow, and she is supposed to have lived for a year eating nothing but communion wafers. All the while she continued having visions. When she finally did stop living like a hermit, she came out into the world and helped the needy. In 1375, she apparently received the stigmata. After this, she became more and more influential in the political world. She even convinced the Pope, in 1378, to move the papal court back to Rome from France. She died in 1380 at the age of 33, and was canonised by Pope Pius II.

Anyway, that’s about all I have to say about Siena for now. I haven’t really done any of the touristy stuff in Siena, I figured I’ll wait until after the Palio is done, and hopefully there are less people! Once I have done this, I will write another post for you about Siena’s attractions. :)
Today marks the 2 week point. We have been in Siena for exactly 2 weeks! Time has been flying by so quickly, but I have a feeling the next 3.5 weeks will go by even quicker! The Palio is this weekend, and then next week my class goes on an overnight trip to Rome, and the week after an overnight trip to Venice. Plus, I’ve still got to do the “tourist thing” in Siena, and hopefully I can get a couple people together for another hike. I’ve also got a lot of reading to do for class, and writing to do for you, my dear readers! :P

Anyway, my stomach is grumbling, it’s time for dinner!

Love and miss you all!!
Ciao <3