SOCIAL PROGRAM ::
TOUR ITINERARY 2
Guided visit to the town of Siena and the Cathedral
Meeting at 3pm in front of Santa Maria della Scala, we will first visit the inside of the Crypt, which was only recently discovered. It is fascinating because of the brightly coloured paintings on the walls and considering its original function. The paintings are essentially perfect 7 centuries after their creation. After the Crypt, we will go to the Baptistry. The restoration which finished in October 2006 highlighted the beauty of its marbles and decoration. Inside we will see the baptismal font created by such important sculptors as Jacopo della Quercia, Lorenzo Ghiberti and Donatello. As a result, this font has been described as being an anthology of 15th century Italian sculpture. Today the Baptistry maintains its original function as well as being a museum accessible to paying tourists. After the Baptistry the tour continues towards the atmospheric Vicolo delle Carozze (Carriage Lane) which used to house the horses and carriages of guests at the hotel La Scala, which today is a private residence that conserves the original sign. We will then arrive at a panoramic viewpoint overlooking the Basilica of San Domenico and the historic buildings around it. We will then walk to the Basilica di San Domenico, where we will see the sacred relic of the head of St. Catherine of Siena, the Patron Saint of Italy and of Europe and the first female Doctor of the Church. The guide will describe the life and times of this extraordinary woman who was even able to convince the Pope to return to Rome from Avignon. We will then follow the Via Banchi di Sopra, better known as the Corso, which was the main route through Siena for pilgrims travelling the via Francigena to Rome. We will then arrive in Via di Citta' and there we'll see the beautiful Palazzo Chigi Saracini, which today houses the famous Chigiana Music Academy, which is one of the most important Master Schools for musicians in the world. Here, a century ago, the music of Antonio Vivaldi was rediscovered and where many of the most important national and international classical musicians have either studied or taught. During the tour we"ll be able to see the beautiful façade of the palace and enter the internal courtyard with its recently restored travertine marble well. The tour will then conclude by returning to the starting point in the Cathedral Square.
Meeting Point: 3pm in front of Santa Maria della Scala.
Duration of Tour: 3 hours
Cost per Person: €25,00 (including entrance tickets to the Crypt and Baptistry).