Siena Cathedral

The Cattedrale Metropolitana di Santa Maria Assunta, also known as the Duomo di Siena, is a large Roman Catholic cathedral and seat of the Archbishop of Siena-Colle di Val d'Elsa-Montalcino. Work on the cathedral began in 1196, and less than 20 years later mass was already being said inside the church, even though the building work was nowhere close to being finished. Various phases of construction continued until 1348 when the arrival of the Black Death in Siena caused the town to lose between 30 and 50% of its population. This last phase of construction, which would have more than doubled the size of the cathedral, was then abandoned. The cathedral is home to sculptures from many of the greatest Italian artists, including a statue of Saint Paul by a young Michelangelo, The Feast of Herod by Donatello, and a breathtaking sculpture of Saint Jerome by Bernini.

The Gate of Heaven, or Porta del Cielo, opened in 2015. Located in the rafters of the cathedral are a sequence of rooms and walkways that were previously only accessible by builders working on the site. Along the path, you can get a closer look at the stars painted on the inside of the impressive dome, the stained glass windows, and a bird’s-eye view of the mosaic floor, if it’s uncovered. On the left-hand side of the church, you’ll also be able to access the terrace around the cupola, where you’ll get a staggeringly beautiful view over the city of Siena. The Gate of Heaven can only be visited with a guide at a specific time, so make sure to check when you book your tickets that this option is included and make a note of your selected time.

The Museo dell’ Opera was founded in 1869 and houses a large percentage of the original and most precious artwork from the cathedral is on display inside. It’s located in the north aisle of the ‘new cathedral’ and is spread over two floors. The crypt contains most of the original statues from the façade designed by Giovanni Pisano, removed to protect them from damage. It also contains an original stained glass rose window by Cimabue which was removed during World War II to protect it and was later replaced by a replica. You can get far closer to these pieces than the artists ever intended so you can really see every detail. On the first floor, you’ll be able to see an elaborate altarpiece by Duccio di Buoninsegna which took three years to paint. The first floor also contains the treasury, which contains more than 200 liturgical objects, many of which are made of gold and precious stones. One of the highlights is a delicate golden rose created by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The final floor contains a collection of religious paintings dating from the 13th to the 19th century and a selection of tapestries and textiles.

If you’re not planning to take the Gate of Heaven tour, then you should plan around two hours to explore the Cathedral, the Museo dell’ Opera, the Piccolomini Library, and Baptistry. The Gate of Heaven tour takes between half an hour and an hour, so if you’re intending to climb to the walkways you should plan at least three hours for your visit. If you’re the kind of person who loves religious architecture, you can easily spend half a day or more exploring every part of the cathedral complex in depth.

If you’re intending to visit the Gate of Heaven then you’ll have to take part in a guided tour. You can easily explore the other areas of the cathedral without a guide, but you might want to consider one anyway! The cathedral has a long and interesting history and its interior contains several quirky features that you might miss without someone who can point them out. There is a multimedia tour available to borrow which takes you on one of three routes: Cathedral, Museo dell’ Opera, or All-Inclusive Opa Si Pass. The tour takes up to an hour and can also provide more context, especially in the Duomo Nuovo. There’s also an audio-guide available in Italian, English, French, Spanish or German to rent for an additional €5.

Of course! If you’re visiting for a service or to pray, enter via the Porta del Perdono, the Gate of Forgiveness. Mass is said daily at 10 am in the Madonna del Voto chapel, and on Sundays and public holidays at 8 am, 11 am, 12.15 pm, and 6 pm (6.30 pm in summer). If you’re not intending to attend a service but will still be visiting during mass, please be quiet and respectful of those attending the service.