We arrive in Siena by bus at 10 am. Surrounded by brown medieval brick, we ascend and descend the great hilly city until we get to the gorgeous Duomo di Siena. You would never expect by the sweet pink and white exterior that inside would be so Gothically dark.
The cathedral interior was a favorite among many of us, with its striped white and black marble and starry deep blue ceilings. Incredible engraving like marble inlay clad the floor, my favorite ones were those depicting the women Sybils who foretell the future.
The Picolomini library inside is the most beautiful room I have ever seen. The ceiling fresco by artist Pinturicchio is impeccably preserved, glowing golden and complimented by the purest reds, greens and blues. It depicts 10 stories from the life of Pope Pius II, Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini. The room was surrounded by illuminated manuscripts from the 15th century.
We spend the entire day at the cathedral complex exploring the crypt, baptistry and museum boasting a Madonna and Child sculpture by Donatello and masterpieces by Duccio di Buoninsegna.
by Margaret Groton