Started early at the church of San Francesco where frescoes from the convent were discovered in the early 19th century in the chapter house then moved into the church.

The interior of the church was restored in the 19th century to look like what was believed to be a medieval interior suitable for preaching to large congregations.

The early to mid-14th century frescoes have lost a lot of their colour because paint was added a secco or dry and thus not bonded to the plaster as buon fresco or true fresco. The below crucifixion is also missing the bottom half of the image.

Martyrdom of Franciscan friars

Saint Louis of Anjou or San Ludovico di Tolosa

From there we went to the Duomo to look inside. The interior looks busy and it is. There is so much to see.

The floors, which are often covered to preserve them, were uncovered. It would be possible to spend hours just examining the floor. Below, the wheel of fortune or wheel of time.

Inside the Cappella Chigi with its Bernini designed statues.

The Pulpit by Pisano

Donatello’s Saint John the Baptist

Piccolomini Library was built after a Piccolomini was elected pope. He was Pius II a rather obsure pope from 1458 to 1464.

But he was bishop of Siena which is why his life was set in fresco on the walls of the library.

The painter of the frescoes was Pinturricchio who was helped by a young Raphael. Some scholars believe Raphael drew all the designs for the frescoes.

He is thought to be portrayed standing in the lower left corner of the above fresco.

The Piccolomini Altarpiece was commissioned by another member of the Piccolomini family who became Pope Pius III but only lasted 26 days.

Part of the altarpiece was designed by a young Michelangelo who sculpted some of the statues.

After lunch, we went to watch and try medieval tempera painting and gold leaf stamping at the workshop of Marco Caratelli. Did not take photos but his website is http://www.passatonelpresente.com

The hotel has the foundations of a medieval tower in its basement which is now being used as a wine cellar. We went for a wine tasting.

Earlier I tried to go to my favourite gelateria from 2024. But it seemed to be closed, maybe for the winter.

I had not had gelato for five days so I ordered some for dessert after dinner.