If you are thinking that it’s too cold in February to come on holiday in Siena, you should change idea: the winter is a good time for a relaxing stay and to discover the museum’s heritage of Siena, joining in special tours and activities available only in February.
Throughout the month, in fact, are scheduled events hosted by museums, palaces, venues usually closed to the public and fascinating places like the botanical garden and the crypt of the cathedral.
A year ago, this initiative was a great success, as we reported in the article in February, the month of museums in Siena.
This year, the initiatives are increased and you will be spoiled for choice on what to see in the historic center.
The events of “February at the Museum” will begin on Tuesday 2nd with a series of free guided tours and continue from 4th February onwards, 5 days a week.
Guided tour to the hall of the Palio costumes
Credits photo: http://bit.ly/1UpVhCf
The Palio is held in the summer but usually it’s impossible to see closely the historical costumes, so we suggest you to book the guided tour of the Palio Costumes Hall, located at the Public Palace.
Here there are costumes used for the historical parade that takes place during the Palio of Siena and the tour allows you to learn more about the roles of the participants in the parade and the importance of this tradition that is very important for Senese people.
The tour starts at 9:15 pm, so it’s a great chance for a very unusual evening in Siena!
Breakfast at the crypt of the cathedral
There is nothing to fear in here: the crypt of the cathedral isn’t a dark place but an archaeological site under the Duomo, discovered in 1999.
The frescoes in the Crypt have bright colors, so the visit is absolutely recommended to those who come to see the Duomo; the event, scheduled in February, consists in a welcome breakfast and a lecture entitled “Le antenne di Montaperti nel Duomo di Siena”.
The visit, in fact, will take place at 10:30 am and was entitled “Awakening Art”: after all, what better way to start the day than to have a coffee in a so charming set?
Treasure hunt at the Botanical Garden
Credits photo: http://bit.ly/1KEPrHQ
In Siena there is a beautiful Botanical Garden, located near Porta Tufi and is part of the Accademia dei Fisiocritici Museums.
Here families with children can take part in a treasure hunt and learn more about the plants of the rain forest and desert plants of this lush garden.
This activity is scheduled from 10:00am to 4:00 pm.
The new year of the trees in the Synagogue
One of the lesser known venues of Siena is probably the Synagogue; take the opportunity to go there in February, for example on Sunday 7th at the New Year of the trees, a celebration of the agricultural year in Israel. There, in fact, the trees are blooming at this time and in the Synagogue there will be a workshop dedicated to the nature.
The secret rooms of the Public Palace
Usually not all the paintings kept in the Public Palace are visible: these are masterpieces of Senese art that can be found in the offices located on the ground floor of the Town Hall. The guided tour allows you to enter the “secret rooms”, and enjoy an exclusive itinerary; we suggest you to book in advance to be sure not to miss a so special chance.
All events mentioned will be repeated several times during the month, so please check the full program here: http://bit.ly/23pVcVp.
February is also the month of Carnival in Italy: remember that the dates in 2016 are February 4th for Fat Thursday and February 9th for Mardi Gras.
Credits immagine di anteprima: By Oke (Own work), via Wikimedia Commons
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Duomo_Siena_Italia.jpg.
0Comments