Siena Cathedral

The Cathedral of Siena, with the official name of Metropolitan Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, is an Italian Romanesque-Gothic style church built between 1214 and 1263 on the site of a temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva.

Its splendid white marble façade with decorations in Siena red and Prato serpentine is divided into two parts, which correspond to two phases of construction: the lower part, by Giovanni Pisano, dates back to the end of the 13th century, while the upper part, with a tricuspid aspect and an oculus in the centre, was completed in the first half of the 14th century by Caimano di Crescentino.

In the 4th century, work on the extension of the cathedral began, but was interrupted shortly afterwards due to the plague and the economic and political instability of the city. All that remains of this project is the new right aisle, which today houses the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo, and the so-called'Facciatone', a large wall that was to be the new façade of the church, which today can be accessed from the Museum by climbing a long spiral staircase, and from which there is a 360° view of the city.

The cathedral bell tower measures 77 metres, ten less than the Torre del Mangia in Piazza del Campo. However, due to an optical effect, the two towers appear to be the same height.

The cathedral has a Latin cross plan and is divided into three naves by white and greenish-black striped columns, a motif that characterises much of the interior. The ceiling, blue and gold, looks like a starry sky. The church also contains works by great Renaissance artists such as Michelangelo, Donatello and Nicola Pisano.

The floor of the church is itself a masterpiece: it consists of 56 marble panels, created between the 14th and 19th centuries by forty Sienese artists (apart from one, who came from Umbria), depicting religious themed scenes or esoteric symbols. The most striking panel is probably that of the Massacre of the Innocents, painted by Matteo di Giovanni in the 15th century. To preserve these works, the floor is largely covered for most of the year. For more information on uncovering periods and prices, please visit the official website.

In the left aisle, before the transept, is the Piccolomini Library, with splendid frescoes by Pinturicchio.

The crypt, rediscovered by chance only in 1999, contains wonderful 13th-century frescoes.

The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo (or Metropolitana), built in 1869, houses around 700 works from the cathedral and the diocese of Siena, such as Donatello's Tondo with the Madonna and Child.

Also part of the Cathedral Complex is the Baptistery of St John the Baptist, located at the top of a grand staircase. Built between 1316 and 1325, the Baptistery is divided into three naves and decorated with beautiful frescoes. In the centre of the building is the Baptismal Font, made of bronze and marble, to which Lorenzo Ghiberti, Jacopo della Quercia and even Donatello contributed.

Opening times

Timetables vary according to the season. Please visit the official website.

Price:

The Opa Si Pass ticket (valid for 3 days) gives access to all venues of the Duomo Complex. Audioguide included.

Inside

• 01/01 - 26/06; 01/08 - 17/08; 17/10 - 31/12: € 14,00
• 27/06 - 31/07; 18/08 - 16/10 (i.e. during floor uncovering): € 16,00

Reduced (children 7-11 years old, all year round): € 3.00

Free (children under the age of 6, residents and those born in the municipality of Siena, accredited journalists, disabled persons with accompanying person, religious men and women, students of the University of Siena and the University for Foreigners, parish groups of the Archdiocese of Siena with a letter from the parish priest)

The Porta del Cielo ticket gives access to all venues of the Duomo Complex and the roofs of the Duomo. Available only from 1 April to 6 January. Audioguide included.

Inside: €20.00

Reduced (children 7-11 years old: € 5.00

Free (children under 6)