What makes Siena Cathedral so special? 

Many Cathedrals look impressive from the outside, but fail to impress or are too austere or ostentatious on the inside, but not the stunning cathedral of Siena.

The ‘Duomo di Siena’ as it is known in Italian, has the form of a Latin cross, with a dome, transept and bell tower. The lantern on top of the dome was added by the 17th century Italian architect and sculptor, Gian Lorenzo Bermini.

Built between 1215 and 1263, Siena Cathedral has an incredibly ornate frontage with an impressive window. The cathedral is constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes. Black and white are the colours of Siena, and symbolically associated with Senius and Aschius, the horses of the founding fathers of the city.

This Gothic building is filled with the treasures of Pisano, Donatello and Michelangelo. The columns continue the white/black motif and above you are busts of past pious men of Siena. But it’s the floor that you need to study, incredible mosaics providing storytelling masterpieces.

The cathedral comprises of 56 inlaid panels created by over forty artists between 1369 and 1547. Total completion of these images took nearly six centuries, and only finished in the 1800s.

The painting by Donatello of John the Baptist, the rose window and the marble pulpit, are all feasts for the eyes. As is the Piccolomini library, which was constructed by Pope Pius III, in memory of his uncle, Pope Pius II.

The fine indoor views, detailed landscapes and luxuriously clothed figures, are absolutely stunning, augmenting the individuality, uniqueness and blatant beauty of this magnificent Italian cathedral.

The city of Siena is home to many architectural treasures and the ‘Duomo di Siena’ is definitely one of them.