Two extraordinary events concerning the Siena Cathedral complex. Today at 11am, in the archbishop’s palace, the conference to present the restoration of the cathedral’s baptismal font, a masterpiece that dominates the Baptistery. Speakers will include Cardinal Augusto Paolo Lojudice, the rector of the Opera della Metropolitana Giovanni Minnucci, Gabriele Nannetti, Superintendent of Archaeology, Fine Arts and Landscape for the provinces of Siena, Grosseto and Arezzo and Emanuela Daffra, Superintendent of the Opificio delle Pietre Dure in Florence. All the restored panels will be presented, in addition to the Ghiberti one, that of Donatello, which was the star of last year’s exhibition in Florence.
Also for the summer dedicated to art and culture, Opera del Duomo and Opera Laboratori organize ‘The Opera Nocturnes’. Eight unusual evening events, Thursday, to offer a unique point of view on three iconic places of the complex.
The initiative starts on Thursday 4 July and will accompany visitors throughout the summer until 29 August on two visits at 9.30pm and 10.30pm. It begins with the guided tour of the Cathedral which at this time of year discovers its magnificent marble floor, the result of five hundred years of artistic expression, a symbolic journey in search of the highest values of the human spirit.
‘The Opera Nights’ also include climbing the Facciatone, the most surprising of the remains of the new unfinished Cathedral, for a suggestive night view of the city. On this occasion it will also be possible to admire the Hall of Statues, with the stained glass window by Duccio di Buoninsegna. Against the walls of the room there are sculptures by Giovanni Pisano, originally on the façade of the cathedral, and depicting prophets, philosophers and sibyls. It will be possible to enjoy this unique panorama and the masterpieces of the Opera Museum for three Thursdays: 11 July and 1 and 29 August.
