Revealing rare treasures in the house of God

Published on by 100cobbledroads

Brace yourself for a spectacle at the Siena Duomo…

Digital familiarity is a far cry from the real thing. And no amount of images can prepare you enough for this fascinating walled city built on three hills in the heart of Tuscany. Siena is bound to spring like a charming surprise onto your unsuspecting traveling soul…and reserve its own tiny corner forever. This dawned upon us the moment our cab entered one of the city gates and started navigating a curvy, concentric, seemingly confusing route through a tight maze of solid stone-and-brick palazzos spread over 170 hectares.

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You would never seen anything like Siena before! So, get your bearings and get onto those cobbled streets, some of them steep enough to challenge your breath. Just one kilometre of each other, are two spaces that create more drama than you can digest in a day. The first is the Piazza del Campo, the site of the annual historic Palio race. And the second one, is the Piazza del Duomo, which graces (no prizes for guessing) the Duomo.

A narrow street lined with a few restaurants suddenly opens on to a largish semi-shadowed square and the ornate facade of the Siena’s Duomo (Cathedral of Santa Maria) slips into your line of vision. Back up for a full-scale picture of the 13th-century Romanesque-Gothic marble glory in white-and-black, all the way till you’re forced to stop at the walls of the red-brick-stone buildings lining the square. The uncanny resemblance to the Florence Duomo is not coincidental.

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Absorb the whiteness and the blackness of the dual-colored structure, making a mental connection to the black and white horses of the legendary founders of the city – Senius and Aschius. As you queue up, debate over the combo-ticket options, stare at the 77-m tall striped marble bell tower attached to the far side and wonder about the unfinished wall extension (Facciatone), where ant-like tourists are gawking at some possibly stunning vistas. And imagine…if the plague hadn’t put a cog in the wheel, Siena’s Duomo would have been one of the world’s most monumental tributes to God.

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Stepping through the solid bronze doors of the Cathedral, you will literally freeze in your tracks, momentarily. Is it a Cathedral or a living museum…you will struggle to re-categorize. Most likely, your eyes will be darting in all directions, distracted by the sheer overload of beauty encased within the towering walls. It will be overwhelming…but calm down, make a mental plan, decide a route, avoid bumping into the rest of the dumbstruck- awe-struck zombies and…well, try blinkers. Too much?

Whether your mind applies logic or your heart unleashes instinct, the one most dominating feature of the Duomo will command your attention first and stay with you forever…its the unusual stripes of horizontally alternating black-and-white marble on the massive columns separating the nave from the apse.

Once you have ogled at this marvel, proceed to greedily drink in the sights on the walls. Every square foot is plastered with Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque frescoes and sculptures by some of the finest artists of the period. Unbelievable masterpieces, all. There’s more. Nearly 200 life-size statues of solemn popes. A stunning cobalt-blue ceiling studded with thousands of delicate golden stars. And at the end of the central nave, a gorgeous hexagonal dome with a golden-panelled ceiling topped with a lantern, courtesy GianLorenzo Bernini, which will certainly give you a crick in the neck, if you gape as long as I did.

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But the real spectacle? One that few are privy to? Because its hidden from plain sight most of the time? A priceless treasure to behold? Ok, ok, cutting to the suspense. Its right under your feet…you’ll be walking over it! For most part of the year, it is covered except for a couple of months, usually starting during mid-August.

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The 14,000 square feet inlaid marble mosaic floor is nothing short of spectacular.  Crafted by 40 of the most skilled artists of Siena region, it comprises of 59 panels of various sizes and shapes – rectangular, hexagonal, rhombus and circular – that have images as intricate as paintings. Classical, pagan themes and scenes from the Old Testament or Siena’s history come alive under your feet…this is a visual spectacle running through time!

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Giorgio Vasari, legendary Italian artist is said to have described it as “the most beautiful, largest and most magnificent floor that ever was made”. Who are we to disagree! Kneel down to study the design closely. What look like giant drawings on the floor are really etchings on the marble…tiny holes and lines filled with black stucco and mineral pitch and a technique similar to wood inlaying.

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Admire the intricate borders, edging patterns and filler motifs …an array of fine designs that can give any modern designer a run for his money. Contemplate the stunning level of craftsmanship…minute details of contrasting light and dark of the marble inlay…and the incredible result.

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Some of them are monochrome and classic in appeal…like giant charcoal sketches. Others have warm touches and varying tones of ochre and rust. Follow the outline of each elegant angle and curve sprawled over the marble floor, gather up the soft folds of the robes, trace the sharp contours of the faces. And feel your goosebumps.

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More breathlessness awaits you in the Piccolomini Library commissioned by Pope Pius III. Fabulous frescos on the ceiling and walls will make you gasp. Giant choir books on display shelves will leave you in muted silence. And the symphony of crescent pattern on the floor will make you sigh.

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Later, with your heart filled with solemn admiration, as you leave the hallowed interiors and return to reality in the piazza, you will agree that Siena Duomo is an art-piece in a league of its own, a sweet symphony that would have even made God smile.

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55 thoughts on “Revealing rare treasures in the house of God”

  2. Visiting cathedrals in different countries is one of my favorite things to do abroad. It’s so great to see all of the different architectural styles 🙂 this has to be one of the most beautiful I’ve seen!

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  5. I’ve been to Italy 3 times but I’ve yet to visit Sienna – it looks amazing! Italy has some of the most impressive churches – inside and out. These floors are unbelievable – it’s hard to imagine how much time and effort was put into creating them.

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  6. I love churches from all over Italy. None has disappointed me. This is a beautiful retelling of your time spent at the Duomo in Siena. I love the floor mosaics. Imagine 14000 square feet of solid marble making up a gorgeous piece of art. I am in awe at this incredible artistry.

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  15. absolutely breath taking and I don’t mean the steep walks 🙂 The flooring in your photos are so beautiful, I have never seen anything like it! Glad to see them roped off, it would be a shame to walk on them. I was in the minster and the floor is covered in headstones, which is weird and people walk all over them….

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  19. It is indeed the most beautiful floor I’ve seen. I love this style of cathedrals, even more than the purely Gothic style, and visit them wherever I go for the beauty of their architecture. This alone is worth a visit to Siena.

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  20. So stunning … such a pity that they cover it for a lot of the year! I’ve always thought that cathedrals and places of worship are some of the most unique, fascinating and beautiful attractions in each destination – regardless of your faith or religion, they’re always the most rewarding and magnificent.

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  21. A spectacular masterpiece. What a great piece about Siena Duomo. Your pictures do an amazing job of bring the place to life. That floor is quite incredible…a true masterpiece. What an incredible experience in one of the most beautiful parts of Italy. Great post!

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  22. Siena is indeed a revelation, I never realized that it was so exquisite. We were in Florence a couple of years ago but sadly did not make it to Siena. Hope to get there someday. Your pictures have captured the stunning artistry, but yes being there is something on a different level altogether.

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  23. I missed going inside the cathedral or did I go and then say said ‘no photography’… can’t recollect. It was in 2010.
    Such grand interiors. You got the well. The ceiling particularly is mesmerizing.

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  24. I’ve been to Siena a couple of times but I needed your pics to remember how beautiful its Duomo is! If I ever go back to this city again, I’ll make sure to schedule my trip during these two “special” months. Thanks for the tip!

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  28. Wow! Magnificent indeed. The Duomo itself is a sight to behold. I could stay there all day and gaze admirably at each art. I can also imagine myself crouching on the floor studying the strokes. 😀 You’re so lucky to be there at the right time.

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  29. Pingback: One glorious day soaking up the spirit of Siena – 100cobbledroads.com

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