In Siena this year there is a cool ice skating ring that has been kept open beyond the festivities. Usually, the municipality set up a large platform in the middle of the city park. It would be open from the beginning of December and closed when the festivities came to an end, usually on Epiphany day, January 6th.
This year there has been a change and the ice skating ring is still open. Moreover, it’s been enlarged, adorned with scenic effects to give the impression of being set on a snow-covered land. Wooden shapes of rain deers, small firs groves, and white fluffy clothing on top of railings and roofs giving a snow build-up effect create quite a nice effect that at night is increased by the lighting, thought to enhance the white-snow effect.
It is not all the news for this year, however. The whole set up has been enlarged to include a warm restoration joint, a “snow” slide, a little caterpillar-train for the youngest children, and a small gadget and toy kiosk. The restaurant is a pub-like setup with wooden benches and a counter staged like a mountain chalet. Here it is possible to eat warm sandwiches and drink beer, hot chocolates and other warm drinks. The slide is a fun, long ride for all ages. Sided by small whitened firs, it resembles a quick rid on skis down a mountain slope. The nicest thing is that from atop the slide one can see the wonderful view of the roofs of Siena.
The kiosk sells all sorts of winter themed gadgets like mechanical penguins, Santa’s toys, and more. In addition children can have fun riding on the little train if ice skating is not much of their liking.
The ice skating ring in Siena will stay open until January 17th 2009.
The opening time is from 10 am until 1,15 pm and from 2 pm until midnight. Children pay 3,50 euros until age 11, adults 6 euros to enter and rent skates, 2 euros until 11 and adults 3 euros for entrance only.
Here some pics and of the ice skating ring in Siena:
And here is a quick video of it:
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