Just to show that our vacations aren’t all dead saints and plates of food, here is a shot of John enjoying our in-room bathtub.
Today we take a side trip from Siena to San Gimignano, the town of many towers. During the rivalry between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, a rivalry also sprang up to see who could have the highest tower. This resulted in families building tower houses of increasing height. Towards the end of the Medieval period there were 72 towers of up to 230 feet tall. Fourteen exist today.
It’s a rainy morning with a cold wind as we make our way up to the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta. This church is renowned for its fresco cycle depicting Old and New Testament subjects. Unfortunately there are no pictures allowed. In fact I take one of a fresco that is not even inside the church but on the porch outside and am rebuked with a stern “NO FOTO!” (so embarassing!)
After touring the church with its excellent audio tour and the church’s museum we head for lunch. The manager of our B & B has recommended La Mangiatoia and we are not disappointed.
Later after returning the car to the garage we have a little lie down while Sarah takes a walk around Siena trying to stay awake. We meet for drinks and snacks at the Il Campo, toast Siena once last time while viewing the beautiful Palazzo Pubblico. It has been a fine four days in Siena!
