Recap Part 2
Greetings! Let us continue our tour of Siena!
The entrance to school, with two ancient churches in the background- one contains a tower dating to the time of the Roman Empire when one of the first bishops of Siena was imprisoned before being martyred. Our school is the oldest part of Siena, indeed a couple of the streets contain the word "Castlevecchio" (old castle)!
On the weekend, we had more free time to explore the city at a leisurely pace and ate pranzo (lunch) at an amazing Indian restaurant! It was a great to get away from pasta for at least one meal lol!
Afterwards, we continued to explore the many different neighborhoods within this ancient walled city. Notice the banners hanging? They are for each Contrata, or neighborhood, which compete against each other in a famous horse race called the Palio, that has existed since the Medieval era.
We stumbled upon this find: the Archconfraternity of Misericordia (Mercy)
which has been providing free healthcare since the medieval days!
Another fine church made of white marble!
The Church of San Francesco
Look at this housing building..What a foundation! They sure knew how to fortify things back then!
Order of Malta church where the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite is celebrated! Unfortunately, Masses here don't resume until September when we are back in Rome.
Upon returning to the city, here is my favorite ancient church from the 10th century that I stumbled upon while exploring the Fontegiusta neighborhood.
Formerly owned by the Knights Templar, it contains a mini cloister and a well, which used to be a stop for pilgrims on their way to Rome. It was then given to the Order of Malta upon the suppression of the Templars, and it has been in their possession ever since!
Above is the façade of the Templar/Malta church I was just mentioning.
Here's the interior of another beautiful Romanesque church, that we walk by everyday on our way to school.
On one of our afternoon excursions, a local priest gave us an incredibly detailed tour of the Duomo's baptistery, which is located down a steep set of outdoor marble stairs that tradition says is where the devil pushed St. Catherine down!
The rear of the Duomo
One of the main portals to the new Cathedral that was never completed.
Inside the baptistery, the baptismal font! Also, the frescos on the ceiling explain the Apostles' Creed!
A mosaic on the floor, reminding us all of the shortness of life, but also to look with hope to life with Christ.
Fresco of the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River by John the Baptist
A close-up of the baptismal font itself.
Well folks, it's getting late over here, but before I sign off, I leave you with a view taken from the park where we sometimes eat a picnic lunch. Una bella citta!
God love you!
Comments