The Siena Cathedral or Duomo in Siena is an ancient cathedral built in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cathedral is a fusion of medieval and Gothic culture, and for a long time it has been a symbol of the city. The amazing building has been preserved in its original form to the present day. The attraction is recommended for fans of old architecture and Renaissance Italy to visit.
The history of the Siena Cathedral
Very little information is known about the creation of the object, previously there was an altar of Minerva on the site of the current cathedral. In the 1050s, the election of Pope Nicholas II took place on the square next to the temple. At the beginning of the 13th century, the Siena Cathedral began to be erected. It is believed that the temple was consecrated in 1179, and the construction was supervised by local priests elected at a meeting of a special city gathering of citizens.
All the main stages of construction can be traced in the books dedicated to the Republic of Siena. The manuscripts indicate the beginning of the construction of a three-nave temple, but the dome is not mentioned. Since the early 1260s, documents mention active supplies of stones and elements for the construction of the dome of the building. The construction of the work at the end of the 13th century began to be supervised by the famous Italian architect Pisano. Under his leadership, the facade of the building was decorated, as well as the dome part of the building.
In 1322, the government of Siena began to develop a plan for the construction of a new temple, trying to orient it directly perpendicular to the old building. The implementation of this project continued until 1349, but it was interrupted by the appearance of the plague. After these events, in the 1350s, it was decided to finish the construction of the old cathedral and abandon the construction of a new one.
Architectural features of the Siena Cathedral
The temple was built in the style of a three-nave basilica with elements of Gothic and old Italian architectural style. The dome of the Siena Cathedral stands on six columns, which are decorated with white and colored Prato marble. The lower facade of the building was decorated by master Pisano. The exterior itself includes side portals and towers. Traditionally, all the elements of the building were made of marble, and the decor corresponded to the French Gothic style. In 1458, the great Donatello designed the large bronze doors that adorn the central part of the portal.
The interior is notable for its scale - huge marble columns, pillars with a height of 18 meters, as well as beautiful Romanesque arches. The floor of the cathedral is made of mosaic, which was decorated with graffiti technique. The mosaic was created by craftsmen Umbiri, Cortona and Federighi. Most of the panels have been reconstructed and restored over the course of several centuries. One of the most popular places is the pulpit of the Siena Cathedral, which was created by Pisano. The pulpit is decorated with numerous precious stones, as well as white marble. Numerous church ceremonies are held here, as well as choral performances.
The Siena Cathedral or Duomo in Siena is an ancient cathedral built in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The cathedral is a fusion of medieval and Gothic culture, and for a long time it has been a symbol of the city. The amazing building has been preserved in its original form to the present day. The attraction is recommended for fans of old architecture and Renaissance Italy to visit.
The history of the Siena Cathedral
Very little information is known about the creation of the object, previously there was an altar of Minerva on the site of the current cathedral. In the 1050s, the election of Pope Nicholas II took place on the square next to the temple. At the beginning of the 13th century, the Siena Cathedral began to be erected. It is believed that the temple was consecrated in 1179, and the construction was supervised by local priests elected at a meeting of a special city gathering of citizens.
All the main stages of construction can be traced in the books dedicated to the Republic of Siena. The manuscripts indicate the beginning of the construction of a three-nave temple, but the dome is not mentioned. Since the early 1260s, documents mention active supplies of stones and elements for the construction of the dome of the building. The construction of the work at the end of the 13th century began to be supervised by the famous Italian architect Pisano. Under his leadership, the facade of the building was decorated, as well as the dome part of the building.
In 1322, the government of Siena began to develop a plan for the construction of a new temple, trying to orient it directly perpendicular to the old building. The implementation of this project continued until 1349, but it was interrupted by the appearance of the plague. After these events, in the 1350s, it was decided to finish the construction of the old cathedral and abandon the construction of a new one.
Architectural features of the Siena Cathedral
The temple was built in the style of a three-nave basilica with elements of Gothic and old Italian architectural style. The dome of the Siena Cathedral stands on six columns, which are decorated with white and colored Prato marble. The lower facade of the building was decorated by master Pisano. The exterior itself includes side portals and towers. Traditionally, all the elements of the building were made of marble, and the decor corresponded to the French Gothic style. In 1458, the great Donatello designed the large bronze doors that adorn the central part of the portal.
The interior is notable for its scale - huge marble columns, pillars with a height of 18 meters, as well as beautiful Romanesque arches. The floor of the cathedral is made of mosaic, which was decorated with graffiti technique. The mosaic was created by craftsmen Umbiri, Cortona and Federighi. Most of the panels have been reconstructed and restored over the course of several centuries. One of the most popular places is the pulpit of the Siena Cathedral, which was created by Pisano. The pulpit is decorated with numerous precious stones, as well as white marble. Numerous church ceremonies are held here, as well as choral performances.
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