Siena has a bubbling and charmingly chaotic atmosphere. It’s apparently a quiet and sleepy town for six months of the year, and a buzzing nucleus of life for the other six months – the summer months. It is nowhere near as overwhelming in size or grandeur as Florence, making it the perfect town for a quick excursion.
Everything in every shop seems to be on sale in Italy atm – with huge reductions in stores of up to 50% – so I went on a bit of a bargain hunt. Where I found my new Furla handbag seen above. Cheeky.
Outfit: White denim skirt: Soeur, white cropped vest: I don’t know but it’s a wardrobe staple!, sandals: ASPIGA (can’t find the exact ones but some lovely stuff from this season’s collection), bag: Furla (this one is limited edition and sold out 😦 but they have a huge sale on so have linked the website above!).
I think all white in summer is such a fab look. Especially with accents of gold and black. Good for making you look more tanned than you actually are!
After a spot of browsing and a little bit of purchasing (ooh naughty!) we popped off to the Duomo (the cathedral). I’d heard it was a special place – but the details inside this gothic cathedral were breathtaking to behold.
I can’t tell you as much as I would like to about this place, because there is just SO much to it – a number of stunning old master works in numerous chapels – and frankly Wikipedia would do a much better job than I can.
BUT I will tell you about my favourite work of art within the building – Bernini’s Saint Jerome in the Capella della Madonna del Voto (or more simply, the “Chigi Chapel”).
Thought to be one of Bernini’s greatest works, the sculpture was created in 1661-63. The emotive, floating drapery is typical of the Baroque style, but my favourite feature about the sculpture is the figure’s pose and facial expression. The combination of the two make for a very moving appearance, such that you feel like a voyeur stumbling in on a reflective and meditative moment between the Saint and his model of the Crucifixion.
The Piccolomini Library (seen above) is also a highlight. With an ancient Three Graces sculpture stood in the centre, and the walls covered in Renaissance frescoes by Pinturicchio (thought to be based on designs by Raphael), it really does feel like you’re standing in a mini time capsule.
We finished the day with dinner at a wonderful restaurant called Salefino, where we filled up on pasta, seafood, meat – basically all the foods. Lots of wine and lots of giggles.
Until next time,
Annie xoxo
The Cat, the Kitsch, and the Wardrobe 