The Cathedral of Siena

The building of the Cathedral was started in the first years of the twelfth century on a pre-existing religious building and it was ended in the half of next century by building the facade and the dome.

At the end of the twelfth century, the dome was covered with marble works by Giovanni Pisano (about1248-1314).

At the beginning of the fourteenth century, the apse was demolished in order to lengthen the building as far as the limit of the close precipice.

Nevertheless the extension works were not ended because of increasing costs, technical difficulties and also because of a pestilence that reduced population in 1348.

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Later were completed the works of old cathedral, ending the apse and the facade.

The facade, based on white marble with portions of white and green marble, in the middle part it is embellished by a bass-relief portraying Saint Anna and Saint Giocchino.

The Romanic belfry is formed by opened bands increasing from a single hole in the lower part to six holes in the higher one.

The cathedral is on the plan of a latin cross with 3 aisles divided by black and white bands of pillars.

Floor is divided into portraying panels by artists from Siena and Tuscany and it was completed between XIV and XV centuries.

In the left transept is the marble pulpit by Nicola Pisano, a splendid art work in Gothic Italian style.

The dome, designed by Bernini in 1661 along with the altar surmounted by the Madonna of Vow and the bronze angels, stands on six pillars. In the angles, six columns support as many statues of patron Saints of the city.

In the apse, there is one of the oldest Italian window, drew in 1288 by Duccio di Buoninsegna (about1255-1318) .

Mirrors of the pulpit illustrating Christ's Life are also suggestive.

In the bottom of the left aisle there is the admittance to the Piccolomini's Library, Renaissance creation by the Cardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini who wanted preserved inside Pope Pio II's library.