Archive for August 2012
Bravio delle Botti (Barrels Competition) – August 26th , 2012 – Montepulciano (SIENA)
In Montepulciano, a nice village near Siena, every year a tiring uphill race takes place: a race of barrels called Bravìo.
Eight districts compete for a painted cloth by rolling barrels (of approximately 80 kg each) along an uphill path for more than 1 km.
The path of the heavy barrels winds through the picturesque streets of the old town until the finish line located in the Piazza Grande square in front of the Cathedral.
The word Bravìo derives from the vulgar “Bravium” and indicates the painted cloth bearing the image of the patron saint St. John the Beheaded, in whose honor the citizens celebrate the feast.
The tradition of the past to play this race riding horses was interrupted in the seventeenth century and the inclusion in the modern era of the barrels wants to be a strong call to one of the most typical product of the town: the wine of Montepulciano.
At 3 o’clock p.m. : historical parade
At 7 o’ clock p.m. race with the barrels
For more information contact Hotel Borgo Grondaie
Posted by: www.hotelsienaborgogrondaie.com
Posted in Borgotip, Events in Tuscany, Siena Events | 
Tags: competition, historical parade, siena, wine in montepulciano | 
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CITTA’ AROMATICA 2012 – SIENA (FROM AUGUST,28TH TO AUGUST, 31ST)
Siena, the wonderful city of Palio, celebrates the twelfth edition of “CITTA’ AROMATICA”, a festival that started in 2001 to mix artists from Siena with others of international level in a sort of colorful show of different artistic expressions, in particular music and dance.
From Tuesday, August 28th until the” grand finale” on Friday, August 31st , different shows will take place in the suggestive location of Piazza San Francesco and Piazza del Campo.
Admission is free.
Below is the detailed program:
TUESDAY, Aug. 28th / PIAZZA SAN FRANCESCO AT 9:15 p.m.
“IL TEATRO DEGLI ORRORI ” (ITALIAN ROCK)
WEDNESDAY, Aug. 29TH / PIAZZA SAN FRANCESCO AT 9:15 p.m.
EVENING DEDICATED TO DANCE WITH THE ” FRANCESCA SELVA ‘S AND MOTUS’ COMPANIES”
THURSDAY, Aug. 30TH / PIAZZA SAN FRANCESCO AT 21:15
ROCK NEWS (NEW ROCK IN THE CITY ) WITH:
“BLACK RAIN THEORY”
“BLUES MACHINE”
“LOKOMOTIV”
SPECIAL GUEST “MAURO PAGANI” (ARTISTIC DIRECTOR)
FRIDAY, Aug. 31ST / PIAZZA DEL CAMPO AT 9:30 p.m.
GRAND FINALE with “PATTI SMITH”
For more information contact Hotel Borgo Grondaie
Posted by: www.hotelsienaborgogrondaie.com
Posted in Events in Tuscany, Siena Events, Things to do in Siena | Tags: concerts, music in siena, Siena Art, siena events | No Comments »
FLOOR OF THE CATHEDRAL ( DUOMO) OF SIENA
The complex of the Cathedral of Siena includes a series of monuments of the most significant in the European art scene. The Cathedral there is definitely the centre of interest. Inside we can find many masterpieces of all time, but the work truly exceptional is definitely the floor made with the techniques of graffiti and commesso marmoreo (marble strips) .
For most of the year the floor of the Cathedral is almost completely covered with sheets of hardboard to protect it from traffic of worshippers and visitors, but from August,18th to October,24th 2012, it will be possible to admire in full its surprising beauty.
The floor is the result of a complex work begun in the fourteenth century and ended in the nineteenth century.
The cardboards for the 56 inlays were made by famous masters of painting and sculpture as the Sassetta, Domenico di Bartolo, Domenico Beccafumi and the only Umbrian artist Pinturicchio.
The initial technique was that of making graffiti carving with a chisel a slab of white marble and filling the furrows with black stucco (filler), then, the second and more sophisticated technique was that of combining strips of colored marble together like we usually see in a wooden inlays, this technique is called “commesso marmoreo.”
In the nave and aisles the images reproduced on the floor are inspired by issues relating to classical and pagan antiquity; the transept and the choir tell the story of the Jewish people and the events of salvation accomplished by Christ constantly evoked but never represented in the floor, but present on the Altar towards which the religious and artistic itinerary converges.
For info and tickets: www.operaduomo.siena.it
Tel 0039-0577-286300
Posted by: www.hotelsienaborgogrondaie.com
Posted in Art in Siena, Events in Tuscany, Siena Events, Things to do in Siena | Tags: cathedral, church, siena, Siena Art, siena events | No Comments »
Chigi – Saracini Palace Tour ( SIENA)
Palazzo Chigi, one of the most beautiful historic buildings of Siena, temple of art, and base of the prestigious Academy Chigiana instituted in 1932, reopens to the public.
The Palace was built in the middle of the twelfth century by the powerful Ghibelline Marescotti family and was, before the Public Palace, seat of the Council of the Republic of Siena.
The last owner was the Count Guido Chigi and thanks to him, in the Palace it was established the Chigiana Academy, an international center for advanced musical studies.
The fame of Chigiana spread throughout major cities in the world and started to attract important musicians.
Many events are still connected to this site, as the summer courses of specialization, or the winter season of concerts called “Micat in vertice” and others special Music Festivals.
Palazzo Chigi opens its doors again to all who wish to admire the splendid halls of the Academy and part of his important art collection. Among the many masterpieces you can see works of Beccafumi, Sodoma, Botticelli and many other great masters.
Guided tours, lasting one hour, will be held on Friday and Saturday at 11 a.m., 12 a.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m until November, 3rd, 2012.
For more information and reservations please call the Chigiana Palace (+39) 0577-286300 (Monday to Friday from 9 a.m.to 5 p.m.).
Posted by: www.hotelsienaborgogrondaie.com
Posted in Art in Siena, Things to do in Siena | Tags: guided tours, historic palace, music academy, siena | No Comments »