Tuscany 1

18 April 2016

We have arrived in the renowned Tuscany.

We crossed the Apenines (Mountains forming the "backbone of Italy" at the small town of Castiglione di Garfagnana. This town sits on the border between Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany (Toscano), and has a church with relics of two saints. The proprietor of the resturaunt in which we had lunch turned on the news, of an earthquake in Equador, and problems with migrants in Florence. He declared that these  were a sign that the end of the world is near. This photo is taken in the path towards the old church.,

We travelled through a number of valleys with rolling hills growing lower and flatter as we approached the coast.

The old town of Lucca, near Piza, was worth a visit. Each of these old towns is different, and Lucca is known for its amphitheater, and for its wide old walls. 

The amphitheatre is now a place of outdoor wine bars and resturaunts. We soaked up the sun in one of these.

19 April 2016

And then the coast -which has some beautiful scenery. This is the view from Cafe Matilda at lunch time. 

20 April

Today we visited Siena, an old city with red brick architecture. This is the city hall with its tower. The tower was built in 1300s and was carefully made to be exactly the same height as the cathedral tower. This was to symbolise that the state and the church should have equal power. It was the tallest secular tower in the world when it was built. 

And here is the duomo, whose construction in 1300s was halted by the Black Death which killed 1/3 of Siena's population. 

Also in Siena...

Now we are off to southern Tuscany -land of grape vines and olives, and other surprises.