Italy Day Seven: Siena & the Journey to Rome

Well it's time to leave Montecatini this morning.  So an early wake up call came way to early at 5:45AM and a quick final packing of the bags so they could be loaded on the bus and a bite to eat and it was time to say ciao to Montecatini. 

It took approximately, two hours to our first stop and the time was well used as we slept and caught a few more zzz's.  Siena was a beautiful village on top of the hill that is well know for the Palio horse race every year.  Siena has a Piazza de Campo that is shaped in a sea shell.  Here every year the various districts conduct a lottery and 10 horses with a jockey are chosen to race.  The outside perimeter of the square is covered with two inches of sand and the horse that wins (notice not the jockey but the horse ) is entitled to bragging rights for the year. 

Siena Duomo was a interesting cathedral to visit and observe.  Here Michelangelo had several of 12 statues displayed at a tomb site.  The church was decorated in black and white striped marble which is also the colors of the village.  Throughout the village and the cathedral statues of the She-wolf are displayed and honored as they claim that the she-wolf saved the city. 

 

 

One last cathedral was visited where we actually observed the head of Saint Catherine.  Yes the head which was preserved when she died and is displayed in the cathedral as a memorial to her. 

Last was our 4 hour journey to Rome where we are staying at the Holiday Inn.  Yes, the Holiday Inn, but it makes us all feel more at home  as it does not depict the usual European Hotel Rooms; but are large and roomy.