[Note this blog is written in Italian interspersed with the English translation.]
Dopo il mio giro per la Piazza del Duomo (Siena, Part 1, Duomo & People-watching), mi sono recata al cosidetto Facciatone che offre ai visitatori di Siena delle vedute mozzafiato. All’inizio del 300, si comincio` la costruzione di quello che doveva essere un enorme ampliamento del Duomo. Ma il progetto si fermo` nel 1348 quando Siena venne colpita dalla peste, che decimo` la popolazione.
After my stroll through the Duomo Square (Siena, Part 1, Duomo & People-watching), I went to the so-called Facciatone (Big Facade) that offers visitors to Siena breathtaking views. At the beginning of the 14th century, construction was begun on what was to be an enormous enlargement of the Duomo. But the project was stopped in 1348 when Siena was struck by the plague, which decimated the population.
Ecco il Facciatone, in mezzo. / Here’s the “Big Facade”, in the middle.
Non si e` mai ripresa la costruzione, e cio` che e` rimasto e` solo un grande facciatone (da cui nacque il soprannome) che non sembra altro che un grande muro. Oggi il Facciatone (detto anche il Duomo Nuovo) serve come terrazza panoramica. Si accede alla terrazza dal museo dell’opera del duomo situato accanto. Una scala a chiocciola porta in cima alla terrazza panoramica che fornisce spettacolari vedute di Siena a 360 gradi.
Construction was never resumed, and what has remained is only a huge facade (from which the nickname was born) that looks like nothing more than a big wall. Today the Big Facade (also called the New Duomo) serves as a panoramic terrace. You can get to the terrace from the Duomo Museum located next door. A spiral staircase takes you to the top of the panoramic terrace that provides spectacular 360-degree views of Siena.
Proseguendo verso il Facciatone ecco un violinista appassionatissimo che ci fornisce una colonna sonora perfetta. / On the way to the “Big Facade” a very passionate fiddler provides us with the perfect soundtrack.
Eccomi sulla scala a chiocciola quasi arrivata in cima alla terrazza. / Here I am on the spiral staircase, almost to the terrace on top .
La mia fatica mi regala una splendida e rinfrescante vista di Siena e dei dintorni verdeggianti. / My efforts reward me with a splendid and refreshing view of Siena and its verdant surroundings.
Una veduta del Duomo, della Piazza del Duomo e del campanile. / A view of the Duomo, Duomo Square and the bell tower.
Il campanile e la cupola tra le nuvole. / The bell tower and the cupola in the clouds.
La cupola del Duomo con la sua lanterna in stile barocco disegnato da Bernini. / The cupola of the Duomo with its baroque style lantern designed by Bernini.
Una veduta della famosa Torre del Mangia; a sinistra un pezzetto della Piazza del Campo dove corrono i cavalli nel tradizionale Palio di Siena. / A view of the famous Mangia Tower; to the left a small piece of the Campo Square, where horses run in the traditional Siena horse race.
Ce l’ho fatta! Ora mi riposo e mi godo le vedute mozzafiato di Siena. / I made it! Now I’m resting and enjoying the breathtaking views of Siena.
Un ultimo sguardo dall’alto dei vecchi tetti di tegole di terracotta. Questi sembrano di essere disposti in uno schema a labirinto. / A last look from on high of the old terracotta tile roofs. These seem to arranged in labyrinth formation.
Scendendo la scala a chiocciola. E` sicuramente valsa la pena salire! / Descending the spiral staircase. It was definitely worth going up!
Have you ever heard of the Facciatone? Which is your favorite view? Love your comments!
[Grazie sentite ai miei assistenti di redazione Enzo e Giovanna ed alla mia assistente grafico Mimi!]
Thank you for a wonderful post, Jodina. Excellent pictures. I visited Siena a few months ago and also wound my way up the spiral staircase and was rewarded with those matchless views. Did you also visit the astounding Piccolomini Library next to the Duomo? The stunning frescoes look like they might have been painted last week, but in fact are over 500 years old. Given the bright colors and near-perfect condition of the frescoes, I was amazed to learn that they have never been restored.
Ciao Roberto!
Nice to hear from you — you are welcome — glad you liked the post –prego!
I didn’t get to the Piccolomini, as I only had a limited time in Siena, but a few from the group I led did go, and they said it was wonderful. So many of the sights and experiences in Italy are eye-candy… and soul-candy 🙂
Beautiful pictures of Siena and of you Jodina!
Yes, at the risk of being “Filnered” — Jodina è molto bella nelle foto.
Grazie Elena e Roberto!
Accetto sempre dei bei complimenti! 😉
Hi: I enjoy your photo blogs. You are right, the Big Façade gives a great view .. Looks like you had nice day to be up there too which helps. I really like your darker hair [being friends of super long standing I feel I am allowed to comment… :)] Peggy
Hey there girlfriend of super-long-standing thank you, and thank you!
It WAS a gorgeous day — we were blessed with good weather on that trip.
You have to fill me in on your photographic endeavors… what’s this I hear about photo shoots and showing your work?
Fantastico, amica!
<3 Jodina
Enjoyed the journey. Thank you for sharing!!! Donatella