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Siena Cathedral: Interior detail, main high altar

Date

Circa 1910

Creator

G. Massiot & cie
Part of: Architectural Lantern Slides of Italy
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries

The marble high altar of the presbytery was built in 1532 by Baldassarre Peruzzi. The enormous bronze ciborium is the work of Vecchietta (1467-1472, originally commissioned for the church of the Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala, across the square, and brought to the cathedral in 1506). At the sides of the high altar the uppermost angels are masterpieces by Francesco di Giorgio Martini (1439-1502).

Dedicated from its earliest days as a Roman Catholic Marian church and now to Santa Maria Assunta (Most Holy Mary of Assumption). Vasari and local 16th- and 17th-century historians, who probably drew on more reliable sources, attributed the reconstruction of the cathedral in its present form (except for the choir and transept extension) to Nicola Pisano. The lower part of the façade probably followed Giovanni Pisano's plan. The cathedral is built of coloured marbles: white from Carrara, green from Prato and pink from Siena. Its interior length (including the 14th-century choir extension) is 89.4 m. It has an aisled, five-bay nave and a hexagonal crossing surmounted by a dome. Plans for an ambitious expansion (the Duomo Nuovo) were abandoned in 1357 after some work had been completed. The inlaid marble mosaic floor is one of the most ornate of its kind in Italy, covering the whole floor of the cathedral. The floor consists of 56 panels in different sizes. The uncovered floor can only be seen for a period of six to ten weeks each year.

Images

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Metadata

Creator
G. Massiot & cie
Date
Circa 1910
Publisher
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Material Type
photographs
Conditions Governing Access
To view the physical lantern slide, please contact the Architecture Library to arrange an appointment

Metadata

Campus Location
Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries
Link to Finding Aid
https://curate.nd.edu/show/2z10wq00s1d
This digital collection may not include all items or all of the information available about the source collection. See the finding aid for more information.

Metadata

Contact Us

Our collection information is a work in progress and may be updated as new research findings emerge. If you have spotted an error, please contact Architecture Library, Hesburgh Libraries at asklib@nd.edu.


Also from Architectural Lantern Slides of Italy

Siena Cathedral: Pulpit: Interior

Siena Cathedral: Pulpit: Interior

Piazza Bocca della Verita Fountain: Overall view of the fountain seen from Santa Maria in Cosmedin

Piazza Bocca della Verita Fountain: Overall view of the fountain seen from Santa Maria in Cosmedin

Porta San Paolo, Rome: Overall view of gate and towers

Porta San Paolo, Rome: Overall view of gate and towers

Saint Peter's Basilica: View of the crossing from the transept, with the baldacchino at center

Saint Peter's Basilica: View of the crossing from the transept, with the baldacchino at center

Certosa di Pavia: Interior, southern transept, tomb of Giangaleazzo Visconti to the left

Certosa di Pavia: Interior, southern transept, tomb of Giangaleazzo Visconti to the left

Appian Way: Overall view, showing remnants of structures, probably family tombs

Appian Way: Overall view, showing remnants of structures, probably family tombs

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