If you want to admire the floor of the Siena Cathedral (unique and unmissable), mark these dates in your calendar

If you want to admire the floor of the Siena Cathedral, mark these dates in your calendar: from 27 June to 31 July 2024 and from 18 August to 16 October 2024. A unique opportunity to discover one of Italy’s most precious hidden treasures!

“The most beautiful…, largest and most magnificent… that had ever been made.”

This is how Giorgio Vasari defined the floor of the Cathedral of Siena, the result of a program that was carried out over the centuries, from the fourteenth century to the nineteenth century. This year the floor of the Siena Cathedral will be visible to the public only in two shortened time windows: from 27 June to 31 July 2024, and from 18 August to 16 October 2024. A unique opportunity to admire one of the most precious hidden treasures of the Cathedral.

The Cathedral of Siena

The fabulous Cathedral of Siena, dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, is perhaps one of the most beautiful churches in Europe, and without a shadow of a doubt one of the most prestigious and important Romanesque-Gothic religious buildings in Italy. With an imposing white marble façade with decorations in Siena red and Prato serpentine, it offers an extraordinary interior where works of rare value are jealously preserved.

The floor that embellishes the splendid Cathedral of Siena is the result of a program that began in the fourteenth century and ended during the nineteenth century. Various artists, in fact, over the centuries have transferred their ideas to the soil of this spectacular church, starting in a simple way, and then reaching a perfection that is even impossible to believe in.

The credit certainly goes to the mastery of the artists, but also to a particular technique called graffito, to which colored marbles were added to give life to the so-called marble inlays. In essence, it is a real treasure that we could define as hidden, secret, as it is possible to admire it only during 2 time windows a year, when it is discovered and made visible in all its incredible perfection.

But then there is no surprise: this “carpet” of works includes 56 marble inlays, the creation of which involved very talented artists, such as Sassetta, Domenico di Bartolo, Matteo di Giovanni and Domenico Beccafumi, as well as the famous Umbrian painter Pinturicchio.

Also know that this fabulous floor is unique not only for the technique used, but also for the message of the figurations which are a constant invitation to Wisdom.

But regardless of the floor, even the church alone is worth the trip as its interior is a true treasure chest of artistic masterpieces, starting from Nicola Pisano’s pulpit, and then moving on to the Piccolomini Library built in 1492 to house the very rich book heritage collected by Pope Pius II, and finishing by placing your eyes on the eight bronze statues that adorn the pillars of the choir and which are the work of Domenico Beccafumi.

When will it be possible to visit the floor of the Siena Cathedral?

The exceptional floor of the Siena Cathedral will be visible to the public from 27 June to 31 July 2024, and then again from 18 August to 16 October 2024, two unmissable opportunities that will allow you to take a journey through five hundred years of art.

The complete OpaSiPass itinerary will also be available to visitors which, in addition to visiting the floor of the cathedral, will also allow access to the Opera Museum, the Crypt under the floor of the Cathedral, and the Baptistery.

By booking a visit to this wonder housed in one of the most beautiful cities in Italy, you will have an audio guide available directly on your smartphone, although it is worth knowing that it will also be possible to request a guided tour.

Useful information

FLOOR UNCOVERING PERIOD

27 June – 31 July; 18 August – 16 October 2024

From Monday to Saturday:

• Cathedral, Baptistery, Crypt from 10:00 to 19:00
• Opera Museum from 09.30 to 19.30
• Oratory of San Bernardino from 1.30pm to 7.00pm

Sunday (only during the uncovered floor period):

• Duomo from 9.30 to 18.00
• Crypt, Baptistery from 10.00 to 19.00
• Opera Museum from 09.30 to 19.30
• Oratory of San Bernardino from 1.30pm to 7.00pm

Last entry half an hour before the closing time of the Museums.
Times may vary due to religious celebrations.

Prices

From 27 June to 31 July and from 18 August to 16 October 2024