This Is What Happens When We Open Our Eyes
Siena, Italy
On Day 5 of our Walkabout Tuscany tour we were scheduled to visit Siena. I had never been to Siena before, although I had heard of its beauty for years, so I was excited to see this legendary city.
For our day in Siena, our concierge with the Isabella Experience where we stayed, arranged a local guide that they work with named Cinzia (or Cynthia in English). I had never met her, and I knew nothing about her prior to our tour. She was a “random” guide choice, for all I knew.
Our guide, Cinzia
Cinzia showed up a little late, and I started to wonder if the day would be a bust, but she was sweet, if not animated, and gave us a great overview of the history and topography of the city, particularly during the terrible years of the Black Plague. We walked up and down the streets of the city as she explained the contrades (neighborhoods) and how they compete twice a year in the world famous Palio horse races around the main city square.
The Palazzo Publico, Siena’s city hall
After a couple of hours, we started to get a little tired and hungry, so I told Cinzia that we would be ready to stop in about a half an hour. She also needed to be somewhere, so we agreed that we would finish around 1:30.
For some reason, though, Cinzia was adamant that we would visit the cathedral. It was important, she said. The floor is significant, and, as she explained, in just ten days’ time the floor would be covered for the next several months. There is only a short window of time when the floor is uncovered, and to see the whole thing is a very special privilege.
We were in! Show us the cathedral!
Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta, Siena Cathedral
We finally reached the cathedral around 1:00, and Cinzia escorted us inside where I thought she would leave us and go on her way. Instead, she started talking faster than ever. She said that this cathedral was so important because it is one of the most beautiful cathedrals in the world (she’s right!), but also that the mosaics on the floor told a very important story.
Now, I always say that on every Walkabout trip we encounter special “God moments”—times when he actively reveals himself to us. Travel always does this, but only when we open our eyes to the glory and mystery of God that is all around us. There were many such experiences on our Italy adventure, but I think this was one of the most poignant “God moments” that we experienced.
Standing at the back of Siena Cathedral, looking at the first mosaic on the floor, Cinzia explained that the floor of this cathedral (as well as the rest of the artwork) was important because it tells the story of salvation. Beginning here, with the humanism of the Greek philosophers, who thought they could achieve wisdom through human knowledge. But they were wrong, Cinzia explained, as the path of salvation would show.
I suddenly was overcome with emotion and told her, through tears, that all of us in our group knew that story because we were all saved. Cinzia was taken aback. “All of you?” she asked.
“Yes.” We nodded our heads.
From that point on, our tour took on a different tone. Cinzia wanted to show us everything, to explain the incredible mosaics that told the story of salvation from the humanism of the Greek philosophers through the Old Testament and, finally, ending at the cross just behind the high altar.
She quickly showed us some of the most important pieces of art in the cathedral, even saying that she wished she had taken us there first, rather than last, because she could have spent more time talking about the significance of each part of the cathedral.
This is an early sculpture by Michelangelo on the Piccolomini Altarpiece in the cathedral. It is said that Michelangelo used his own face and hands as models for this piece.
Sadly, our time came to a close and Cinzia had to leave us, but she made sure we were standing near the center of the cathedral, looking at the altar where she explained that the entire story of the cathedral culminated there, at the cross, and that all of the artwork pointed to the idea that salvation can only be obtained through faith in Jesus Christ and his work on the cross.
We stood in amazement, not just at the beauty of the structure, but at the way God had orchestrated for us to have a guide who believed in the story of salvation as much as we did.
Cinzia and I embraced and, through tears, I said, “We are sisters.” She nodded, then waved goodbye to our group. “I will see you again . . . in the future,” she said, with a quick glance heavenward. Then she turned and left.
We all stood in the middle of the cathedral, planted where Cinzia had left us, stunned and sobbing. Each of us was so moved by this lovely sister in Christ who thought it so important to tell us the story of salvation through the art and architecture of the Siena cathedral. And we stood amazed at God who had orchestrated our time together.
These are the moments that make travel so special–when we open our eyes and our hearts to what God is doing all around the world. Our faith grew that day, and I know we’ll never forget our dear sister, Cinzia. Or the amazing Siena Cathedral.
