The sojourn in Siena continues.
Exploring the Duomo: Siena's cathedral, the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption, is one of the most beautiful churches we have seen in Italy. Each time we visit, we see something new.
The façade of the cathedral is imposing. The gold mosaics on the façade shine brightly in the daylight, drawing your attention upward.
As big as the cathedral is, the Sienese once planned and started construction of a much larger cathedral. Construction problems, followed by lack of workers and funding after the 1348 plague, resulted in a partially built (but never completed) new cathedral that serves as a museum and parking lot.
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| Unimpressed by the new cathedral, this tourist is checking her messages. |
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| On the side of the Siena Cathedral, the coat of arms of Pope Alexander VII, born in Siena. |
The Piccolomini Altar: Inside the cathedral is the Piccolomini Altar by sculptor Andrea Gregno. The four sculptures in the lower niches are by another sculptor. The statues represent Saints Peter, Paul, Gregory and Pius and were sculpted by Michelangelo.
Chapel of St. John the Baptist: One of the chapels of the cathedral is dedicated to San Giovanni and is decorated with beautiful works of art.
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| San Giovanni by Donatello in bronze |
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| Nativity of San Giovanni |
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| San Giovanni praying while awaiting execution |
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| A papal coat of arms in the chapel |
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| The baptismal font in the chapel |
Palio: Each of Siena's 17 neigborhoods (contrade in Italian) proudly flies a flag, or palio, signifying the neighborhood. When we visited the cathedral, the flag of each contrada was displayed in the cathedral. A few are pictured below.
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| The flag of Onda (Wave). The symbol is a dolphin. |
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| The flag of Chiocciola (Snail) |
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| The flag of Selva (Forest) The symbol is a rhinoceros. |
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| The flag of Tartuca (Tortoise) |
The Piccolomini Library: A library adjoins the church. It houses both illuminated choir books and beautiful frescoes and panels by Pinturicchio ("little painter").
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| The ceiling of the Piccolomini Library, with painted panels |
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| Frescoed walls of the Piccolomini Library with the Three Graces in the center (a Roman copy of a Greek original) |
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| Frederick III Crowning the future Pius II with a Laurel Wreath, 1502-08 |
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| The Coronation of Pope Pius III, 1509 |
Thanks for revisiting Siena with us.
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