Family Travelogue: Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy- Best of Tuscany tour/ Family Travelogue 09 June 2015

Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy (West Facade)

Siena Cathedral, or Duomo di Siena in Italian, is one of the medieval churches in Italy located in Siena dedicated to the Assumption of Mary The church is considered to be one of the most significant examples of Italian Romanesque-Gothic Cathedrals. . It is filled with amazing artworks by Pisano, Donatello, Michelangelo and of course, not to miss the frescoes by Pinturicchio. The construction of the church begun in 1229 and the cupola was completed in 1263. The Cathedral's site is said to be the temple dedicated to goddess Minerva once stood.

The cathedral's exterior was designed by Giovanni Pisano (1250~1315). The facade is filled by three portals of equal height with frieze and detailed sculptures. The mosaic over the doors were added in 1877.

Sienna Duomo Central Portal

Sienna Duomo facade column

The central bronze door depicts the Glorification of the Virgin made by Enrico Manfrini in 1958. The frieze over the central portal represents the stories of the Virgin Mary and her parents: Anne and Joachim, sculptured by Giovanni Pisano. The columns between the portals are carved with animals, putti and foliage.

To protect from weather, all the statues on the facade- most of which designed by PIsano- were replaced by replicas in the 1960's. The originals are displayed in the Museo dell' Opera.

Siena Duomo Cathedral Upper facade, Italy

The impressive detailed Pisano's sculptures of the Cathedral's exterior, endearing paintings on the upper facade and the beautiful rose-window above the central doorway; you might thought you could skip inside and just save the entrance fee. What's out there is just an appetizer.

Coronation of the Virgin, Upper facade mosaic- Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy

Sienna Duomo Cathedral Facade and Campanille

Siena Duomo is in the form of Latin cross.The Campanille is located on the right transept. Both the exterior and interiors are in black and white marble stripes. The said two colours are the symbollic colors of Siena.

The 14th century was a time of great wealth and power for Siena. Sometime in 1339, Siena planned a huge expansion that could make the Cathedral the largest Gothic building in Italy. The existing church was to become the transept of the new church. Unfortunately, it was discovered that the foundation could not handle the additional weight and plague struck down in 1348, Black death killed 4/5 of Siena's population.

The first painting we saw as we entered the cathedral.

Sienna Duomo Cathedral Interior- towards the high altar

In the interior, the uniqueness of the black and white stripes on the walls and columns are fascinating. Black and White are the colours of the civic coat of arms of Siena.

The interior is in the form of Latin cross. It is so grand we find difficult to fit the whole structure into the picture.

DOME (interior), Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy

The hexagonal Dome. topped with gilded lanterns like a golden sun, by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The vault is shining in blue filled with golden stars, like a stairway to heaven.

The colonnade in the drum of the Dome contains the 42 patriarchs and prophets painted by Guidoccio Cozzrelli and Benvenuto di Giovanni in 1481.

Interior of the Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy

The nave of the Siena Duomo Cathedral, towards the main entry, with the statues of St. Ansanus the Baptizer and St. Sabinus of Spoleto on top of the pillars.

Popes and Emperors above the arches in the Siena Duomo Cathedral

Above the arches of the nave are the 172 plaster busts of popes looking down at us from the 15th to 16th centuries starting with St Peter to Lucius III and in the spandrels are the 36 emperors.

Presbytery, Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy

The Presbytery is flanked by angels carrying candles by Francesco di Giorgio Martini. The large marble altar was done by Baldassare Peruzzi in 1532, the bronze ciborium is the work of Vecchietta and apse frescoes by Beccafumi..

High Altar Siena Duomo Cathedral

View from the left aisle arch, the High Altar inside the Siena Duomo Cathedral. Frescoes at the end of each aisle were done by Ventura Salimbeni.

Main Entry and the Rose window seen in the facade, Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy

Stained glass window in the choir area at Siena Duomo, Italy depicting the Last Supper

One of the highlights inside the Siena Duomo are the stained glass windows.
One of which the one in the choir area of this medieval church, a copy of the Last Supper created by Pastorino de Pastorini in 1288. This is the rose window seen in the facade.

Allegory of the Hill of Wisdom- floor mosaic, Siena Duomo Cahedral, Italy

Siena Duomo Cathedral contains numerous masterpieces, not only on the walls, ceilings but also on the floor. The popular pavement of Siena Cathedral features 59 marble panels created from 1372 to 1547. The subjects include scenes from Sienese history, biblical scenes and sibyls contirubted by the Sienese artists: Pinturicchio, Matteo di Giovanni and Domenico di Bartolo. Most of the panels are roped off for protection but those in the transepts and apse are under protective cover. Latter are open for viewing every 23Aug to 03 Oct.

The fourth scene from the back of the nave is the Hill of Wisdom by Pinturicchio. As shown, the way to the mountain is a climb up over stony ground with wandering serpents and reptiles and through wild vegetation. Yet, a female figure sits on top of the mountain offering from her left hand a book to Cratete who was throwing his treasure, and offering a palm from her right hand to Socrates. The path to Wisdom is hard but could lead to serenity

Piccolomini Library, Duomo, Siena

Halfway down the nave on the left is the famous Piccolomini Library. Latter was painted by Bernardino di Betto or known as Pintoricchio (1454~1513) in 1502 for the then cardinal of Siena, Francesco Todeschini (1439~1503) . Latter dedicated the library in honour of his uncle, Pope Pius II. Cardinal Francesco got promoted to the Papacy on 22 September 1503, named himself after his uncle, Pope Pius II, only to die 10 days after the coronation on 08 October 1503.

The library was built to house the precious collections of manuscripts of Pope Pius II or Pope Enea Silvio Piccolomini. Latter served as mediator in the reconciliation of Emperor Frederick III who was to marry Eleonora of Aragon. Piccolomini arranged as well the Emperor's coronation in Rome. He was the Bishop of Trieste in 1447, Bishop of Siena in 1450 and Cardinal in 1456 before he was elected as Pope Pius II, two years later.

Piccolomini Library Ceiling

The ceiling decorations depicts a mythologized and glorified version of the life of Pope Pius II. The library was constructed in 1492.

PIccolomini Library, Coats of Arms

Three Graces statue

In the middle of the Piccolomini library is the Roman copy of the Greek Three Graces.

Piccolomini Library inside the Siena Duomo, Italy

The walls of the Piccolomini library were decorated with ten frescoes representing the biography of Pope Pius II.

Piccolomini Library Fresco, Scene 3, Siena Duomo Cathedral

Frederick III Crowning Enea Silvio Piccolomini with a Laurel Wreath (1502~1508)
Fresco Scene 3, Piccolomini Library, Siena Duomo Cathedral

Piccolomini Library Fresco Scene 4, Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy

Homeage to Pope Eugenius IV in the Name of Emperor Frederick III (1502~08)
Fresco Scene 4, Piccolomini Library, Siena Duomo Cathedral

Piccolomini Library Frescoes, Scenes 5 and 6 Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy

Enea Silvio Piccolomini Presents Frederick III to Eleonora of Portugal (1502~08)
Fresco Scene 5, Piccolomini Library, Siena Duomo Cathedral

Piccolomini Library Fresco, Scene 6 Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy

Enea Silvio is elevated to Cardinal (1502~08)
Fresco Scene 6, Piccolomini Library, Siena Duomo Cathedral

Piccolomini Frescoes Scenes 9 and 10 Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy

The Canonization of Catherine of Siena by Pope Pius II (1502~08)
Fresco Scene 9, Piccolomini Library, Siena Duomo Cathedral

Pope Pius II Arrives in Ancona
Fresco Scene 10, Piccolomini Library, Siena Duomo Cathedral

Piccolomini Altarpiece

Madonna of Humility by Paolo di Giovanni Fei (c. 1385)

Piccolomini Altarpiece (Madonna of Humility)

The Piccolomini Altarpiece (1481~1485) was made of Carrara marble. Madonna of Humility by Paolo di Giovanni Fei in the center. The four niche sculptures are Saint Andrew and St John the baptist in the upper niches with the musical angels in the middle above the small arch; St Pius and St Eustace joined the Madonna and Child in the lower niches. Two angels on the small arch above the Madonna.

St Paul by Michelangelo Buonarotti

Chigi Chapel inside the Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy

The Chigi Chapel, in the south transept of Siena Duomo, was built in 1659~62 by Giovanni Lorenzo Bernini.

Esther and Xerxes by Salimbeni

The fresco on the right side of the chancel (choir) is Ester Xerxes representing marriage by Ventura di Archangelo Salimbeni, one of the artists using the style of the Renaissance Sienese school.

Adoracion of the Shepherds by Alessandro Casolani, Siena Duomo Cathedral, Italy

Crucifixion Altar by Giuseppe Mazzuoli

Crucifixion Altar Giuseppe Mazzuoli depicts two mourners and Mary Magdalene.

Dome Chapel of St. John the Baptist

Situated in the north transept, the glided dome of the chapel of St. John the Baptist by Giovanni di Stefano and Antonio Federighi in 1506.

Saint John the Baptist by Donatello

Saint John the Baptist by Donatello is on the north transept.

A major highlight in the interior, which we were not able to take photo, is the Pulpit by Nicola Pisano (1265~68)

Visit to Siena Cathedral was part of the Tuscany tour we joined during our Europe tour June 2015. We booked the local tour in advanced. Highlights of the tour... Siena, San Gimignano Pisa and the organic tuscany lunch at Chianti vineyard with plenty of wine. Check it out!
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Check out 2015 Europe travels: Europe Tour June 2015