Duomo di Siena is the medieval cathedral of Siena.
The Cathedral itself with its campanile and baptistry was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263, the height of Sienese power. A massive addition was planned in later years but was halted by the Black Plague in 1348.
The Italian Gothic style of Nicola Pisano's facade, replete with gargoyles, was begun in the late 1280's. The exterior and interior are constructed of striped white and black marble. The panelled, marble floor consists geometric shapes including hexagons and circles that appear golden and red in color.
The Siena pulpit was sculpted by Nicola Pisano and is made of Carrara marble was completed in 1268. The pulpit is octagonal in shape and supported by lions. The scenes on the pulpit show a richness of surface, motion and narrative, but are difficult to see because of the dark interior of the Cathedral
Beneath the Duomo, in the baptistry is the baptismala marvellous
font with bas-reliefs by Donatello, Ghiberti, Jacopo della Quercia and other 15th-century sculptors.
The Cathedral contains valuable pieces of art including The Feast of Herod by Donatello, and works by Bernini and Raphael.
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Last updated: 10-12-2005 15:53:48
