Siena provincial trail no. 2, Day 2: Taverne d'Arbia - Cuna (12 km)

This morning I caught the bus back to Taverne d'Arbia, where I left off walking yesterday, and after a quick stop for cappuccino continued across the bridge over the Arbia river, through the town of the same name, and up the hill to the turn-off for what turned out to be a very scenic dirt track through the clay hills to Isola d'Arbia. Siena is visible all the time to the north, framed by ever-changing varieties of wild flowers and trees. At this time of year the countryside is beautifully green, there are no annoying insects, and the temperature is perfect despite the lack of shade!

We are definitely in the Crete now - the entire landscape is moulded out of clay!

Biancane, a characteristic formation of the Crete Senesi

Someone has been here before me

Heading due west

The view back over an irrigation pond towards Siena

After passing through the town of Isola d'Arbia, crossing the highway and the railroad tracks, the trail becomes the Via Francigena for the rest of the way to Cuna.

Follow the white arrow to Rome - or the yellow arrow to Santiago!

The massive brick construction of the Grancia di Cuna, a fortified granary that belonged to the Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala. The grain stored here was ground in the mill in Monteroni and made into the bread the institution distributed to the poor, pilgrims and the sick. Some of the grain was also sold to fund the institution's operations.

The construction is undergoing renovation work at present, and much of it is under scaffolding, so it cannot be explored. The prettiest part, for the time being, is the gate I go through as I leave. 

And here is the reason for the existence of this very impressive construction - wheat! 

Still green in May, and liberally sprinkled with poppies.

At Cuna I leave the path and walk down the hill to the highway to catch the bus back to Siena once again. But as it is Sunday buses are rare, and I have an hour to wait, so rather than sit by the highway I walk into the town of Monteroni to get something to drink before catching the bus back, feeling satisfied with my half-day walk and somewhat sunburned! 

Monteroni d'Arbia