Siena Cathedral Floor

Siena Cathedral is a Gothic wonder decorated with mosaics, sculptures, marble and frescos. It is also known as Cathedral of Saint Mary of the Assumption and holds an inestimable cultural and artistic value. The cathedral features art pieces from the greatest artists of the early Renaissance and Gothic periods, including Pisano, Donatello, Michelangelo and Pinturicchio. It is a true jewel of Italian art and offers profound insight into the cultural and religious traditions of the city. The most spectacular feature of this cathedral is its library which houses a series of immaculately preserved sixteenth-century frescoes by Pinturicchio. Other highlights include stunning marble floors, a bell tower, sculptures by Michelangelo and Gian Lorenzo Bernini and a stained-glass window.

The internal structure is dominated by white and black, referring to the Siena coat of arms colors. The Siena Cathedral mosaic floor is considered the master work of the Cathedral and it took nearly six centuries to complete it.

The inlaid marble mosaic floor of Siena Cathedral is a masterpiece that has been forged over the centuries. The floor consists of fifty six panels in rectangular or hexagons or rhombuses shape. These panels create a unique interlocking marble carpet that extends throughout the nave and apse of the cathedral. The most famous panel of the Siena Cathedral floor is Massacre of the Innocents by Matteo di Giovanni located near the pulpit. The mosaic floor tells mythological and biblical stories and represents the sibyls, allegories, virtues and scenes from the Old Testament. Siena Cathedral floor is usually covered for two-thirds of the year with special cloths to protect it from wear and tear and is revealed on August 18 every year until late October.