Walking through the streets of SienaWalking through the streets of Siena

Among the key features of the medieval city we first place the fact that it is Among the key features of the medieval city we first place the fact that it is enclosed by a wall that protects it from external attacks (especially the enclosed by a wall that protects it from external attacks (especially the Hungarians and the Normans, the new "barbarians" of the late Middle Ages). The Hungarians and the Normans, the new "barbarians" of the late Middle Ages). The towers are square or round, embattled, thick, multi-walled, with battlements, towers are square or round, embattled, thick, multi-walled, with battlements, which, in time of peace, is also a place of public promenade. With the increasing which, in time of peace, is also a place of public promenade. With the increasing power of the city walls become increasingly large and fortified, to incorporate the power of the city walls become increasingly large and fortified, to incorporate the new villages that sprang up around it. new villages that sprang up around it. The plan of the medieval city is diverse, and now has a rectangular block, now the The plan of the medieval city is diverse, and now has a rectangular block, now the board, but mostly, it adapts to the place where it rises, thus presenting both ups board, but mostly, it adapts to the place where it rises, thus presenting both ups and downs in the streets and squares (the typical "Piazza del Campo "Siena and and downs in the streets and squares (the typical "Piazza del Campo "Siena and the Piazza del Saracino ad Arezzo). The streets are narrow, winding, narrow the Piazza del Saracino ad Arezzo). The streets are narrow, winding, narrow streets and winding curves even at the elbow, presenting characteristic angles, streets and winding curves even at the elbow, presenting characteristic angles, blossom suddenly in front of churches, palaces or country views. The tortuosity blossom suddenly in front of churches, palaces or country views. The tortuosity and the small scale also serve to protect the inhabitants from the wind and cold in and the small scale also serve to protect the inhabitants from the wind and cold in the north, the warm sun in the South are often flanked on both sides by arcades the north, the warm sun in the South are often flanked on both sides by arcades that form the front of the shop, repair of benches artisans and merchants, who that form the front of the shop, repair of benches artisans and merchants, who often work outdoors. Up to 600, in fact, the shops have no windows, because often work outdoors. Up to 600, in fact, the shops have no windows, because glass is a luxury item. Special care has to the pavement, so they take the glass is a luxury item. Special care has to the pavement, so they take the pavement (large slabs of stone) or pavement (small flint pebbles round or squared pavement (large slabs of stone) or pavement (small flint pebbles round or squared stone) depending on the material but also the slope, because, for example, in the stone) depending on the material but also the slope, because, for example, in the streets City of cold areas, the highly irregular pavement leads to better roads in streets City of cold areas, the highly irregular pavement leads to better roads in winter winter

Farro’s soupFarro’s soup

Pici and special souce of the restaurantPici and special souce of the restaurant

local cheeses and vegetableslocal cheeses and vegetables

Tagliata di controfiletto di ChianinaTagliata di controfiletto di Chianina

Vin Santo and Cantucci (local bisquits)Vin Santo and Cantucci (local bisquits)

I believe that our stay in Siena we have completely satisfied, we return to St. I believe that our stay in Siena we have completely satisfied, we return to St. Gimignano satisfied by the spectacle offered by the city but also from its Gimignano satisfied by the spectacle offered by the city but also from its wonderful cuisine.wonderful cuisine.

Glad to have shared this with friends Glad to have shared this with friends even walk gl We look forward to the even walk gl We look forward to the nextnext                         Tina and Antonio Florino                         Tina and Antonio Florino

antonio.florino@gmail.comantonio.florino@gmail.com