[2019]

OUR FAMILY HOLIDAYS

9983 Florence and Sienna 1993

From Florence we made a side tour to Sienna.  En route we went to the town, San Geminiano, where the inhabitants competed to own the tallest towers; mediaeval skyscrapers. This was as much about status as defence.  It was a lovely old Italian town. 

I'd also be previously been to Sienna itself.  The square in which the Palio horse race is run has lovely old buildings surrounding the almost sensuous public space. 

But the cathedral appeared, once more, to be the centre of architectural interest. It is notable for not just for its art but also its library and its graffiti, in the original sense -- in that verses were inscribed on the floor.

We also did the obligatory excursion, albeit ourselves by train, to Pisa to see the tower which was still threatening to collapse at that time -- though the engineers later finally managed to underpin it.

  The standard tourist photo!

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