December Cheer

Siena gave  a spectacular welcome to my friend Sanjay who arrived last Wednesday afternoon, straight into the celebration for one of the patron saints of the city, La Festa del Sant'Ansano. All the 17 Contrade of Siena were out in force with their alfieri and tamburini, as they made their stately progress between the Piazza del Campo and the Duomo, where a great Mass was held by Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudici ( apparently a bright light and one being tipped as one day a possible successor to Pope Francis)  

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This  was an unexpected opportunity to see the interior of the Duomo ablaze with all the pomp and circumstance provided by  20 prelates in red cassocks and the entirety of Siena's contrade with costumes and banners aloft! 

                                     

                but we escaped nevertheless... and  ended up in the lovely Osteria le Logge close by the Campo which was perfect for the oenophile Sanjay who was extravagant enough to order something I'd never heard of before,  a 'Super Tuscan": a wine called Guado al Tasso, 2018. A new, lovely  experience for me, who is normally happy to drink a jolly house Chianti...

                                   

Two fine days showing Sanjay the glories of Siena were followed by this weekend's Christmas Market in the Piazza del Campo. Everyone was obliged to wear a mask but it did not noticeably dampen the spirits of the  Sienese who were happy to be able to  enjoy once more their Christmas market which was closed last year: