Siena - Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta

 
The cathedral (Santa Maria), one of the finest churches in Italy, stands on the highest point in the town, to the southwest of the Croce del Travaglio. It is not known when a church was first built on this site. The cathedral in its present form was begun in 1229; the dome was completed in 1264; and the choir was extended eastward over the baptistery about 1317. Then in 1339 the people of Siena resolved on a gigantic enlargement of the cathedral which would have made it the largest Gothic building in Italy.

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The existing church was to become the transept of a new church more than 100m/330ft long, the main axis of which would be turned through 90 degrees. Work on the project soon came to a halt, however, partly because the foundations were inadequate for the weight of the new building and partly because the population of the town was decimated by plague in 1348. Some idea of the vast scale of the project can be gained from those portions of the new nave which were completed. The façade of the original building was completed only in 1380. The rich sculptural decoration was largely renewed in 1869, and the mosaics were set in place in 1877. The campanile dates from the end of the 14th century.
Things to See

Read More Campanile

Read More Cappella Chigi

Read More Cappella di San Giovanni Battista

Read More Cathedral Museum

Read More Crypt

Read More Interior

Read More Presbytery

Read More Sacristy

Address: Siena Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, Piazza del Duomo, I-53100 Siena, Italy
Hours:
March 16 to October 31: 7:30am-7:30pm
November 1 to March 15: 7:30am-1:30pm, 2:30pm-5:30pm
Tips: Photography prohibited.
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.

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Cathedral Santa Maria in Siena stands on the highest point of the town.Cathedral Santa Maria in Siena stands on the highest point of the town.
Detail of Cathedral in Siena.Detail of Cathedral in Siena.
Cathedral tower in Siena.Cathedral tower in Siena.
Front of the Cathedral in Siena.Front of the Cathedral in Siena.
Cathedral in Siena.Cathedral in Siena.
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