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Piazza del Duomo

The Romanesque-Gothic cathedral of Siena dominates Piazza del Duomo, which means Cathedral Square. Inside are works by the greatest Italian sculptors, from Nicola Pisano to Gianlorenzo Bernini. Other art treasures that once enriched this sacred building are now preserved in the Cathedral museum, called the Museo dell'Opera. Among its many masterpieces are the marble statues by  Giovanni Pisano that once decorated the façade of the cathedral, and the great painted altarpiece of The Virgin and Child Enthroned in Majesty, commonly called the Maestà, by Duccio di Buoninsegna, who painted it between 1308 and 1311. It is the largest panel painting of the Italian school known today. Images of The Virgin and Child Enthronedare particularly dear to the Sienese, who chose the Virgin Mary as protector of Giovanni Pisano that once decorated the façade of the cathedral, and the great painted altarpiece of The Virgin and Child Enthroned in Majesty, commonly called the Maestà, by Duccio di Buoninsegna, who painted it between 1308 and 1311. It is the largest panel painting of the Italian school known today. Images of The Virgin and Child Enthronedare particularly dear to the Sienese, who chose the Virgin Mary as protector of their city after their famous victory over the Florentines in the Battle of Montaperti in 1260. The painting gleams with the gold used for the background and the brilliance of its colors. The custom of using a gold background was widespread in medieval painting because it suggested the idea of divine light. If are up  to climbing 130 steps, you will be rewarded by the view from the Facciatone, or "big façade," which would have been the front of the New Cathedral of Siena. Here is one of the highest points of the city, and all of Siena unfolds before your eyes. A curious fact may strike your attention: there are no antennas on the roofs. Siena is a cabled city, which means that all information travels along optic fibers buried under the streets. Another artistic jewel in this square is Santa Maria della Scala, one of the oldest hospitals in the world, and today an internationally famous cultural center. The frescoes in the Sala del Pellegrinaioillustrate the history of this ancient hospital, which in the past was a place of refuge and care for pilgrims, the poor, abandoned children, and the sick. their city after their famous victory over the Florentines in the Battle of Montaperti in 1260. The painting gleams with the gold used for the background and the brilliance of its colors. The custom of using a gold background was widespread in medieval painting because it suggested the idea of divine light. If are up to climbing 130 steps, you will be rewarded by the view from the Facciatone, or "big façade," which would have been the front of the New Cathedral of Siena. Here is one of the highest points of the city, and all of Siena unfolds before your eyes. A curious fact may strike your attention: there are no antennas on the roofs. Siena is a cabled city, which means that all information travels along optic fibers buried under the streets. Another artistic jewel in this square is Santa Maria della Scala, one of the oldest hospitals in the world, and today an internationally famous cultural center. The frescoes in the Sala del Pellegrinaioillustrate the history of this ancient hospital, which in the past was a place of refuge and care for pilgrims, the poor, abandoned children, and the sick.