Monday, December 12, 2011

Tuscany: home of the bean: San Gimignano, Siena, Arezzo and Viareggio

San Gimignano is a medieval town known for its multitude of towers- back in the day - it had 72- that's a lot for a beautiful little town....







a typical Tuscana vista....


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Monteriggioni: a small town which was on the famous pilgram's path - Via Francigena  from Canterbury, England to Rome and referenced in Dante's Divine Comedy.



Siena is famous for its historical centre and the Palio, a horse race held twice yearly.
The Duomo of Siena is a beautiful example of Romanesque architecture in Italy. The construction of the cathedral began in the 12th century and the façade was completed by 1380. Source: Life in Italy.com




 old streets of Siena

 in the Piazza del Campo and looking at the Palazzo Pubblico (town hall....
 checking the map... the finger's on the Duomo....


Where the film La vita è bella, 1997 was filmed....
...looking up the street to the Santa Maria della Pieve

..in the Piazza Grande (above and below)
The Communal Palace in Arezzo

 Church of San Domenico

 
 One of the best meals I've ever had....sorry got no photos as it was all over so quickly and deliciously!!
More about Arezzo....

Last but by no means least...Viareggio.. there for only a few short hours - I will return at Carnvale time!
Viareggio is the second largest city within the Province of Lucca
the beach- at dust and sunset...