Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing') dating back to the 1200s. There's some 180 sq m worth, depicting biblical stories
including the Passion of Jesus and the Crucifixion.
Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
The collection at this
museum
(admission €7)
showcases artworks that formerly adorned the
duomo
, including the 12 statues of prophets and philosophers by Giovanni Pisano that
decorated its facade. Pisano designed these to be viewed from ground level, which is why
they look so distorted as they crane uncomfortably forward. Also notable is the vibrant
stained-glass window designed and painted by Duccio di Buoninsegna.
Understand
Pius II
Born Enea Silvio Piccolomini in the village of Corsignano (now Pienza) south of Siena, Pope Pius II (1405-64)
was a tireless traveller, noted humanist, talented diplomat, exhaustive autobiographer (13 volumes!) and medi-
eval urban-planning trendsetter. Also a scholar, poet and writer of erotic and comic stories, Pius built a huge
personal library that was relocated to the purpose-built Libreria Piccolomini (Piccolomini Library) in Siena's
duomo
(cathedral) after his death by order of his nephew, Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini, the future pope Pius
III.
Duccio's Maestà
The highlight of the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo's collection is Duccio di Buonin-
segna's striking
Maestà
(1311), which was painted on both sides as a screen for the
duomo
's high altar. The main painting portrays the Virgin surrounded by angels, saints
and prominent Sienese citizens of the period; the rear panels (sadly incomplete) portray
scenes from the Passion of Christ.
Panorama del Facciatone
In 1339 the city's leaders decided to transform the cathedral into one of Italy's biggest
churches, but the plague of 1348 scotched their plan to build an immense new nave with
the present church as the transept. Known as the
Duomo Nuovo
(New Cathedral), all that
remains of the project is this
panoramic terrace
, accessed through the museum.
