About Siena Cathedral Tickets

  • The Siena Cathedral Tickets give you access to the world-famous Siena Cathedral, which is renowned for its architectural beauty and remarkable collection of paintings, sculptures, and artworks. 
  • Through this ticket, you can catch a glimpse of some of the works of famous artists, like Bernini, Donatello, and Michelangelo. 
  • With access to the Baptistry, Crypt, Piccolomini Library, Cathedral Terrace, and plenty of places in the church, the ticket lets you admire the Italian Art and Pinturicchio frescoes in the cathedral. 
  • Visitors can climb to the top of the unfinished facade of the cathedral to enjoy the spectacular panoramic views of the Tuscan countryside.
  • If you are a lover of art and architecture, you can catch a glimpse of the most beautiful paintings and sculptures, including the “Madonna del Voto” or the “Madonna of the Vow”.
  • The 77 large stained glass windows are another striking feature that you can observe closely with the tickets to Siena Cathedral.

Why Visit the Siena Cathedral?

Why Visit the Siena Cathedral?
  • You should visit Duomo di Siena as it is the most significant church in the city of Italy.
  • This cathedral was constructed to pay a tribute to Mother Mary in 1255 AD by Pope Alexander IV.
  • You will be surprised to know that the structure of the cathedral is built on the location of a tiny church that served as a seat to Siena’s Bishop until 1549.
  • On your visit to the cathedral with Siena Cathedral Tickets, you can witness seven sets of double doors with bronze panels that narrate the true story of the New Testament.
  • Tourists gather around the 77 large glass-stained windows created by a variety of renowned artists to admire their beauty closely.
  • The structure of the cathedral is based on two churches in the early Gothic style.
  • People are drawn to this architectural marvel for the different details used in its construction, like pilasters, archivolts, and rustications.

Explore Siena Cathedral

The Architecture of the Cathedral
The Architecture of the Cathedral

With Siena Cathedral Tickets, visitors can explore the architecture of the cathedral that boasts Italian Gothic style with a Classical and Romanesque influence. On entering the cathedral, you will find three portals in the front facade and five naves and a dome in the interior part of the facade. You can also witness ribbed vaults inside the premises of the church. Several architectural details, like pilasters, archivolts, and rustications were used to embellish the interior parts of the cathedral.

Facade of Siena Cathedral
Facade of Siena Cathedral

One of the striking features that you can witness through the Duomo di Siena Biglietti is the facade of Siena Cathedral. Visitors can discover a unique style of architecture and art on all the cardinal points of the church. Among these four facades, the finest instance of Sienese workmanship is the west facade because it is a unique combination of French Gothic elements and Classical and Tuscan Romanesque architecture.

Paintings
Paintings

When you look at the paintings of the Siena Cathedral, it will provide you with a brief overview of the Italian culture and Sienese art that was prevalent between the 13th and 19th centuries. You will find numerous paintings in the church, with “Madonna del Voto” or “Madonna of the Vow” being the most renowned ones. This gorgeous painting showcases a fresco cycle that represents the vows of Mother Mary to protect the church from future disasters.

Sculptors
Sculptors

There are plenty of sculptures created by Nicola Pisano in the cathedral that you can see with the help of Duomo di Siena Biglietti. He was the one who was given the responsibility of creating the pulpit of Siena Cathedral but was later completed by his son. This pulpit displays events from Christ's life and the tales of the patron saints of Sienna. Some of the remarkable sculptures that you will find in the cathedral are Pietà by Michaelangelo and St. John the Baptist by Donatello.

Choir
Choir

Visitors should not forget to witness the highlight of the Siena Cathedral Tickets, the Cathedral Choir. It features 38 inlays, and you will be astonished to view the beautiful wood work created by Fra Giovanni da Verona. It is a retreat to the eyes of architecture lovers and history buffs due to its early Gothic style.

The Roof of Siena Cathedral
The Roof of Siena Cathedral

 The Siena Cathedral Tickets allow tourists to climb to the roof of the cathedral and enjoy the spectacular aerial views of the city from the top. This roof is created with a mix of plenty of materials, like copper, lead, marble, and terracotta. Also popularly known as the “Gate of Heaven”, this part of the cathedral offers a captivating chance for visitors to take a stroll above the nave and relish the gorgeous surroundings from a distinctive viewpoint.

Cathedral Crypt
Cathedral Crypt

The Cathedral Crypt is the portion below the Cathedral chancel, which is a must-see area with the Siena Cathedral Tickets. Reclaimed during the late 20th century, the crypt highlights the details of the artwork that was prevalent in the 13th century. It consists of stunning wall paintings and frescoes that narrate events from the religious book of Bible and additional religious subjects, with Nativity by Simone Martini being the most renowned one.

Piccolomini Library
Piccolomini Library

The Piccolomini Library was constructed adjoining the Siena Cathedral after the orders of cardinal Francesco Piccolomini. This library consists of 200 manuscripts dating back to the 12th century. You will observe the illuminated choir books of Siena, along with the other books in this library, with some of the books having massive religious importance.

Baptistry of the Cathedral
Baptistry of the Cathedral

Situated below the eastern inlets of the choir, the Baptistry of the Cathedral is constructed anywhere between 1310 and 1320. This structure was built in 1325, with the construction of the interiors being undertaken by Camino di Crescentino. The shape of the structure is an octagon and includes a giant hexagonal baptismal font consisting of three rib-vaulted aisles.

Presbytery
Presbytery

The presbytery in the Siena Cathedral is filled with a massive marble altar with the decoration of angels carrying candles. You will find frescoes in the apse of the presbytery that was built by the 16th and 17th century artists. Visitors can also observe the 36 out of 90 original choir stalls that are created in the Late Gothic style.

History of the Siena Cathedral

History of the Siena Cathedral

The Siena Cathedral was constructed in the place of the bishop’s palace, which was obscure and shrouded. In 1196, when Pope Nicolas II was elected, the Opera di Santa Maria was given the authority to construct a new cathedral in its place. Originally, it was decided to start the work from the north and south transept followed by the construction of the larger part of the cathedral, but it did not happen.


Daily mass gatherings took place by the year 1215. If you see the records, you will find that several pieces of white and black marble are probably being transported for building the bell tower and facade. Between 1259 and 1260, the construction of transept and vaults took place. Later, in 1399, it was planned to make additions to some parts of the cathedral. This time, the structure of the cathedral was doubled in size with the construction of an entirely new nave and two aisles funneled on the high altar. After halting and resuming the construction of the structure several times, the late 13th century frescoes depict events from the Old Testament and the Life of Christ. The construction of the Baptistry was the one that filled the church with remains of the previous one.

Plan Your Visit

Location & Timings
How to Reach
Nearby Attractions
Tips to Visit
Location & Timings

Location: Piazza del Duomo, 8, 53100 Siena SI, Italy.

Timings: 10.30 am to 5 pm, 1.30 pm to 5 pm (Sundays and public holidays)

FAQ's of Siena Cathedral

What is the Siena Cathedral dress code?

    Since Siena Cathedral is a place of worship, tourists are requested to dress appropriately for the church and maintain decorum. Men should wear shirts while women should cover their shoulders at all times within the cathedral. Shorts are also not allowed inside the premises of the cathedral.

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Are Siena Cathedral Tickets available online?

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