Siena 2nd February 2013

There is a big depression sweeping down Italy today and it's raining hard in Chianti, so we decided to go into Siena,  The town hall, the Palazzo Publico, looks good against an iron grey sky across the Campo, where the Palio horse race is run in the summer.

We sheltered for a few minutes in the courtyard, where you can look up at the Torre del Mangia (it is closed when it rains)

And out through the gateway across the Campo to the marble fountain, the Fonte Gaia

Everywhere you walk around Siena you get glimpses of the Torre del Mangia - here down the main street

and here down a narrow alleyway

It's great fun to window shop in Siena - here is some leather

And here is some art

It's unusual to see the cathedral, the Duomo, with so few people around

I took this photo of the campanile as the Angelus was ringing at noon - I wish you could hear the bells!

The rain was bouncing off the base of the cathedral

And running down the steps to the Baptistery

Time for a coffee and dolce in Nannini!