Siena

The last time we were in Siena (2015), we only had time for an afternoon stop. During our photo workshop in May 2024, we were able to spend two days and nights here, so we got a much better feel and love for this historic city. Siena has a long standing commitment to relationships in and between its 17 neighborhoods. While crowded, it is much less touristy than beautiful Florence. A big bonus was being there during one of the 17 historic neighborhood parades. It was quite a sight and production. I’m still editing those images. Another great stop during our stay was the State Archives of Siena, a museum which traces the history of Siena from the mid-13th to the mid-18th century. Ancient and beautiful books, whose covers are hand painted by famous artists, contain handwritten records. It is definitely worth an hour of time to see this beautiful place which is so rich in history. After our visit, our hosts showed us a balcony there which overlooks the Piazza del Campo, where the famous Palio house race takes place twice each year. Here are a few of the images I captured during our stay, including some from the archives.