Siena

Siena is well known for many reasons. For me the first is its local boy, the 14th century Bernardino, later to achieve fame as a Franciscan preacher and promoter of devotion to the Holy Name. The second reason is the local girl, Catarina, also in the 14th century, who as a Dominican exerted considerable spiritual leadership. Other features are the fan-shaped piazza, Il Campo, in
front of the Palazzo Pubblico and the stunning civic architecture. There is of course too a Duomo which would grace any city. And for fans of horseracing there is a horserace like none other. Il Palio is a fierce contest of rivalry among the seventen contrade.

Il Campo
The Palazzo Pubblico and tower


The view from the top of the tower
Me on top of the tower

The interior of the Duomo

I was looking for traces of San Bernardino - the SSF hermitage in Stroud, NSW, is named after him. His symbol is the monogram of the name of Jesus in the form of a disc. He made this to unite warring factions and would preach while holding it. The symbol can be seen all over Siena today.

Basilica San Francesco

Inside San Francesco

There is more remaining of Catarina here. Her head is in a glass-fronted reliquary looking out at those who come to the chapel named for her in San Domenico church. There is also a finger.

The Dominicans and Franciscans both built enormous barns of churches. They were very much preaching halls but it is easy to see how the appeal of those two orders created tensions with secular clergy (the local parish clergy).

Sunset and San Domenico

Sunset from the Casa Santa Catarina

Aguri! Christmas greetings! Buon Natale!

Style - Fashion - come to Italy!

The cat sat on the car

The hotel where I stayed