I'm here in Siena, which is one of Italy's most enchanting medieval towns.
It's walled center, a beautiful preserved wharn of dark lanes punctuated by Gothic palazzo,
pretty piezas and eye-catching churches.
It has as its center, Piazza del Campo, a sloping square that is the venue for the city's
famous annual horse race, Palio de Siena.
According to legend, Siena was founded by the sons of Remus, although it was the middle
ages that heralded the city's golden age.
Between the 13th and 15th centuries, painters of the Sienese school produced significant
works of art and Saint Catherine and Benedict called Siena home.
Piazza del Duomo, Siena's spectacular cathedral's agaffic masterpiece.
Begun in 1196, it was completed in 1215, although work continued into the 13th century, and
the striking façade of green, red and white marble was designed by Giovanni Passano, who
also helped his father, Nicola.
Strip black and white marble pillars, surmounted by a carved frieze of the popes, support the
Duomo's vaulted ceiling, painted blue of gold stars to resemble the night sky.
I managed to get an invitation to the Oca, Italian for goose, Contrata party, held on
the night before the famous Palio de Siena, the famous spareback horse race.
Now, Italians know how to party, as the night was full of music, dance, wine and food.
A spectacular, memorable night.
The jockey representing the Oca, Contrata, won the horse race the next day at the Palio de Siena.
The Piazza del Campo, ever since the 14th century, the slanting, shell-shaped Piazza has been
city's civic center, one of Europe's greatest medieval squares.
The Piazza sits at the heart of the city's 17 Contrata, the historic districts whose ancient
rivalries are still acted out in a twice yearly Palio de Siena.
Loyalty to the Contrata once birthed is fierce, and on the day of the famous Palio de Siena,
during this parade that transpires just before, you will see the perishes, animals, symbols,
repeated on flags, plaques and carvings.
The Council of Nine, Siena's ruling body, gave the order for work to start on the Piazza in 1923.
The red brick paving was finished in 1349.
It is divided into nine sections, representing not only the authority of the Council, but
also the protective folds of the Madonna's cloak.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
The Piazza is one of Europe's most famous paliades.
In the next episode, we head back to Serbia.
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