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Blog 09 – How is Siena, Siena?

As I continue to explore different cities in Italy, it’s apparent each one has unique characteristics that separates it from the next.  I recall the evening we arrived in Siena after a long day of travels from Rome.  A group of students and I began our walk from our hotel to find our destination; Piazza del Campo.  Similar to other Italian cities, like Rome, Siena’s streets have a continuous flow of tall facades making it difficult to find a view different from a rat’s in a maze.  We continued our way through streets following Piazza del Campo arrow signs until we reached our destination.  Down a few steps, through an archway and Siena opened up into a piazza like I’d never experienced before.

My initial, overwhelming response to Piazza del Campo is reminiscent to visiting a sports stadium for the first time; observing all of its wonders as my eyes slowly scan the entire panoramic in silence with a smile on my face I cannot hide.  The difference with Piazza del Campo (to a stadium) is my experience on the field; I have the ability to switch from a player on the field to a fan in the stands as I choose.

But it’s the ability to be a player in Siena’s Piazza del Campo that I have not felt elsewhere.  There is a concentration inside the piazza that makes it unique.  Whether I’m in Piazza San Pietro, Piazza Navona, Campo de Fiori, or Piazza Colonna I’ve always felt a sense that when I explore, I’m still only observing.  It may be the encompassing facades defining the piazza, the restaurants and shops at ground level attracting attention to the piazza or just its uniquely sloping topography, but there’s a feeling I receive inside Siena’s Piazza del Campo that reassures me, Siena is Siena, and nowhere else.

Front row seats of Siena's never-ending game

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