I was going to write one more Italy entry, but I feel like it is dragging on, so I will just tell you a little story about Florence and Siena.

In the 1200-1300s, Florence and Siena were in stiff competition with each other. Florence had a river, Siena had banking. They were both in Tuscany. They both built gorgeous marble-covered churches with big domes in the center. They both had lots of yellow buildings with red roofs.

Siena

Florence

However in 1348, Siena was struck with the black death. The population was wiped out. Afterwards, the monks blamed the illness on the large statue of Venus that stood in Il Campo, the courtyard in the center of town. The townspeople broke the statue up and buried it around the city.

Il Campo

But the damage had been done. Florence went on to become the birthplace of the Renaissance. Siena stayed a charming town. Today, they are similar-yet-different experiences. Florence is gorgeous, crowded, and filled with wonderful shops and museums. Siena is smaller, more intimate, and in the evening, Il Campo is filled with pretty Italian children.

While in Siena, I tried wild boar and grappa and wandered around and around the same crooked alleys that are much the same as they were in medieval times. In Florence, I did all that other Italian stuff–eating, art, etc.

Siena Alley

Both were fun. Both were worth it. I will definitely go back to Italy some day.

Me in front of the Fountain of Joy in Siena.

Part I: Ancient Rome
Part II: Italian Culture
Part III: Art and God
Part IV: Florence and Siena