This week's theme is 'view'. The pic below if the view of the Campo in Siena, Italy from the top of the bell tower. The Piazza del Campo is the principal public space of Siena, and is considered to be one of Europe's greatest medieval squares. Around the piazza are ranged the Palazzo Pubblico, with its Torre del Mangia and various palazzi signorili. The campo is divided into sections, one for each of the city's contrada. During the famous horse race - the palio, the residents gather in their contrada section to watch the horses race around the edge of the campo.
When we were there in 2006 Paul and I decided to climb the Torre del Mangia, arriving at the top of the bell tower seconds before the clock struck noon (our ears rang for the next 12 hours). It was a grueling climb to the top of one of Italy's tallest towers but the view was stunning!
There are a bunch of slowtravel community members who are photohuntin' you can find there posts by clicking the links below.
- Old Shoes, New Trip
- Eden's Wanderings and Wonderings
- My Place in the Sun
- Churches in Venice – Mosaics, Marble, and Miracle-Working Madonnas
- Palmabella's Passions
- What I Really Think
- shave Ice and Gelato
- Jerry's Thoughts, Musings, and Rants!
- Keep your Feet in the Street
- Baked Alaska
- That's my story...and I'm stickin' to it!
- Postcards from the Trail
Great photo Jerry! What is the blue area that is on the piazza?
Posted by: Cindy Ruth | September 27, 2008 at 11:58 AM
That's one amazing view! I love seeing shots from bell towers since I don't climb them. How did Paul manage to go to the top with his fear of heights?
Posted by: María | September 27, 2008 at 01:07 PM
Jerry, that is a great shot. I don't think I've seen the piazza from that perspective in a photo before.
I passed up the chance to climb the bell tower in favor of a glass of wine last time I was there.
Wish I'd done the tower and THEN the wine.
Posted by: Deborah | September 27, 2008 at 01:40 PM
Cindy Ruth - that is the fountain. It is quite different when seen from above isn't it?
Maria - he was fine with the climbing - you can't see out of the tower very much. When we got to the stop (and after our ears stopped rining) he stayed away from the edge.
Deborah - there is always the next trip!
Posted by: Jerry | September 27, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Great photo. Better you than me!
Posted by: Palma | September 27, 2008 at 05:19 PM
I love this photo!!!That is one of my favorite towers to climb. I have climbed it a few times. Great choice!!
Posted by: girasoli | September 27, 2008 at 05:35 PM
Palma - you'll notice that I climbed NO towesr in Italy this year! LOL
Girasoli - I seem to recall that we found it easier to climb than the guingi tower in Lucca. Certainly the staircase was far less claustrophobic.
Posted by: Jerry | September 28, 2008 at 04:54 PM
It's so nice to see a different vantage point view of Italy. Thanks for posting it. Very nice.
Posted by: Brenda | September 28, 2008 at 08:31 PM
Awesome! This is the best view I've seen so far today. Love the colors and the perspective! Thanks for visiting mine and have a great week! Annie
Posted by: Annie | September 29, 2008 at 09:26 AM
Brenda - I agree about the perspective. In some Italian towns the only way we can figure out where we are going (or need to go for that matter) is by climbing a tower!
Have a great week yourself Annie!
Posted by: Jerry | September 30, 2008 at 08:57 AM