Now, with  a mere three weeks left in our stay here in Siena, this beautiful city continues to impress and surprise. A visit to the local Museo dell'Acqua informed us about the underground aqueduct system that supplied water to the city for centuries, right up until the early 1900's.

And we braved the underground tunnels to view the stalagmites and stalactites.

We also visited the local synagogue and was informed about the history of Jews in Siena, and then visited the Enoteca Italiana where we learned about wine-making in different regions and sampled
some fabulous wines.

 

A  tour of the Santa Marie della Scala, a former hospital in use from the 12-20th centuries, with art history professor Piergiacomo Petrioli, revealed a fascinating history and beautiful frescoes by il Vecchietta and Domenico di Bartola.

 In Florence we got to view masterpieces that included; Michelangelo's David at the Accademia and Botticelli's Birth of Venus at the Uffizi Gallery.

 

Students continue to work hard on their travel journals,  as they

explore cafe  life in Siena.

...and  enjoyed coffee before visiting  the Basillica San Domenco and St Catherine's house.