Le strade di Siena sono strette perche’ nel medioevo l’intera citta` doveva stare all’interno delle mura che la proteggevano. Questa si trova nella Contrada dell’Oca, come si puo` notare dalle bandiere in vista che ritraggno, appunto, un’oca in campo verde. In questa foto, una donna cammina in salita portando un bambino in braccio. / The streets of Siena are narrow because in medieval times the entire city had to be within the walls that protected it. This one is in the Goose Quarter, which is noted by the flags in view depicting exactly that, a goose, on a green background. In this photo, a woman is walking up, carrying a child in her arms.
[Note this blog is written in Italian interspersed with the English translation.]
Per quest’ultima puntata su Siena, facciamo un giro per il centro storico, con la sua architettura medioevale, le sue contrade antiche, la famosa Torre del Mangia nella Piazza del Campo – dove, due volte l’anno, ha luogo il tradizionale Palio, e non possono mancare alcune interessanti foto della gente locale.
For this final installment on Siena, we’re taking a tour of the historical city center, with its medieval architecture, its ancient city quarters, the famous Mangia Tower in the Campo Square – where, twice a year, the traditional horse race takes place, and of course, a few interesting shots of local Siena folk.
Ecco la bacheca della Contra dell’Oca. Siena e` suddivisa in 17 contrade, ognuna con le proprie chiese, musei, sedi storiche e circoli. Gli abitanti della contrada la vivono come un prolungamento della propria casa e fanno parte di un’unica grande famiglia. / Here is the community notice board of the Goose Quarter. Siena is divided into 17 quarters, each with its own churches, museums, historical sites, and circles or associations. The inhabitants of the quarter live it as an extension of their own homes and make up one big family.
Qui siamo nella Contrada della Selva. Sopra le insegne che indicano i nomi delle strade spesso si trovano anche le insegne delle contrade. / Here we are in the Forest Quarter. Above the signs indicating street names, you often also find the signs of the quarters.
La Nobile Contrada dell’Aquila. / The Noble Eagle Quarter.
La vetrina di un negozio che vende caffettiere. In bella mostra anche una caffettiera a forma di oca, probabilmente ci troviamo nella Contrada dell’Oca! / The window of a shop that sells coffee makers. In full view is a coffee maker in the shape of a goose; we probably find ourselves in the Goose Quarter!
Un’artigiana lavora la cera in una bottega specializzata in candele artistiche. / An artisan works with wax in a small shop specializing in artistic candles.
Dettagli che raccontono la storia: Siena e` famosa per i suoi Palii, infatti sulle mura si possono notare degli anelli, ai quali anticamente si legavano i cavalli. / Details that tell about history: Siena is famous for its horse races; in fact, on the walls one can notice rings, to which horses were tied in olden times.
In primo piano: un altro anello per legare i cavalli. / A closeup: another ring for tying horses.
Un signore senese fa la passeggiata domenicale. / A Siena gentleman taking a Sunday stroll.
Delle ragazze all’esterno di una gelateria. Chi sa quali gusti hanno preso? I miei preferiti sono il cioccolato e il pistacchio. / Girls outside of an ice cream shop. I wonder which flavors they got? My favorites are chocolate and pistachio.
Eccoci arrivati in Piazza del Campo. Le case soprastanti i negozi vantano un’ottima posizione dalla quale vedere il Palio… se si ha la fortuna di viverci o di potersi permettere di affittarne una per l’occasione. Il pubblico guarda la corsa da palchi allestiti in piazza. / Here we are arrived at the Campo (Field) Square. The houses above the shops boast an excellent position from which to view the horse race… if one has the luck of living there or can afford to rent one for the occasion. The public watches the race from bleachers set up in the square.
Il personale di un caffè in Piazza del Campo. / The staff of a coffee shop in Campo Square.
Turisti e locali si godono un bel pranzetto davanti ad un panorama antico e spettacolare. / Tourists and locals enjoy a nice lunch before an ancient and spectacular panorama.
Ed ecco la veduta… la famosa Torre del Mangia, che due volte all’anno fa da testimone al Palio di Siena: il 2 luglio e il 16 agosto. Per avere un’idea di com’e` un Palio e l’atmosfera che lo circonda, vedete il video sotto del Palio del 2 luglio 2013… ha vinto l’Oca! / And here’s the view… the famous Mangia Tower, which witnesses the Siena horse race two times a year: July 2nd and August 16th. For an idea of what a horse race and the atmosphere surrounding it is like, watch the video below of the July 2, 2013 race… the Goose won!
Have you been to Siena or seen the Palio horse race? Which is your favorite picture? Love your comments!
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Your pictures of Siena reminded us of our visit there last October. The stories of the Palio and its traditions were fascinating and we’re glad to see an actual video of this year’s race! Thanks for the pictures.
Ciao Ronaldo e Regina!
So nice to hear from you and so glad you liked the pics and the video.
Did you have a wonderful trip, and how did it go using the Italian you used in class?
Un salutone! Jodina
We loved Siena; we visited for just an afternoon, however [not that long], and I recall how much of a University town it felt like. We traveled with our then 10 year old, and specifically remember a great indoor cafe we hung out in for awhile. As always, people are so gracious to tourists (this was my experience throughout Italy, traveling from Rome down to Lecce and then back up to Siena, Lucca and Montepulciano.)
Siena is so striking. Thank you for the ‘Siena Series’ of posts.(:
Ciao Laurie!
Thanks for your comment. I agree with you: Abundant beauty, delicious food and graciousness toward the gracious traveler is what makes Italy a magical place to visit. Sounds like you had a great trip, and glad you enjoyed the Siena series!
Neet shots, Jodina. I like the outdoor cafe. Looks so relaxing on the street corner!
Grazie Doug! It was definitely relaxing 🙂
Your pictures of Siena reminded us of our visit there last October. The stories of the Palio and its traditions were fascinating and we’re glad to see an actual video of this year’s race! Thanks for the pictures.
Ciao Ronaldo e Regina!
So nice to hear from you and so glad you liked the pics and the video.
Did you have a wonderful trip, and how did it go using the Italian you used in class?
Un salutone! Jodina
We loved Siena; we visited for just an afternoon, however [not that long], and I recall how much of a University town it felt like. We traveled with our then 10 year old, and specifically remember a great indoor cafe we hung out in for awhile. As always, people are so gracious to tourists (this was my experience throughout Italy, traveling from Rome down to Lecce and then back up to Siena, Lucca and Montepulciano.)
Siena is so striking. Thank you for the ‘Siena Series’ of posts.(:
Ciao Laurie!
Thanks for your comment. I agree with you: Abundant beauty, delicious food and graciousness toward the gracious traveler is what makes Italy a magical place to visit. Sounds like you had a great trip, and glad you enjoyed the Siena series!
Mi piacerebbe sapere dove ( su quale palazzo) è stata scattata la foto dell’anello per legare cavalli con la testa di animale….grazie
Enrico