Siena Cathedral: in the heart of Tuscany, Italian Gothic at its best
The Siena Cathedral with its refined marbles, its famous floor and the works of art of immense value kept inside, is a treasure chest of masterpieces not to be missed
Siena Cathedral: the tickets most chosen by travelers
Why visit the Siena Cathedral
Epicenter of one of the most beautiful and best preserved medieval cities, the Siena Cathedral represents one of the greatest expressions of Italian Gothic. Built starting from the 12th century, this church over the centuries has brought together world-famous artists and architects and has continued to be enriched with amazing works until the 19th century. Today the Siena Cathedral is a harmonious ensemble of marble and paintings, architecture and sculpture, which fears very few comparisons.
The bell tower with the typical Romanesque decoration of white and green bands, from a height of seventy-seven meters, stands out over the city and the surrounding valleys, but there is another imposing construction that is part of this important site and is immediately noticeable both for its grandiose dimensions and because it is clearly unfinished. This is the so-called Facciatone, which was supposed to be the big facade of a much larger church that would have incorporated the one we can admire today.
A visit to the Siena Cathedral is therefore an opportunity to take a journey through the history of art and also of the city, among illustrious names such as Donatello, Michelangelo and Pinturicchio, author of one of the most precious gems preserved in the Siena Cathedral, the Piccolomini Library. Equally important, there are also all the artists who contributed to the creation of the extraordinary mosaics and bas-reliefs that make the floor of the Siena Cathedral an artwork that's unique in the world.
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Useful information for visiting the Siena Cathedral
It is definitely advisable to book tickets for the Siena Cathedral in advance given the generally high turnout.
Remember that there are three types of tickets:
- simple ticket for access to the church only at a cost of €7
- Opa Si Pass ticket which also includes the bell tower, the Facciatone, the Museo dell'Opera, the Crypt and the Baptistery at a cost of €14
- Porta del Cielo ticket which includes the attractions of the Opa Si Pass, plus access to the attic of the Cathedral at a cost of €21.
Opening hours: the Siena Cathedral can be visited on weekdays from 10:00 to 19:00 and on holidays from 13:30 to 18:00. In the winter months and during important functions there may be small variations in the opening hours, so it is always a good idea to check before visiting.
Also check in advance the dates on which it is possible to see the floor.
Accessibility: a ramp at the entrance guarantees access to the Siena Cathedral for visitors with motor disabilities, while unfortunately the Museum, Crypt and Baptistery are currently without.
Siena Cathedral: tips for your visit
Frequently asked questions about Siena Cathedral
1. Why is Siena Cathedral famous?
Siena Cathedral is famous because it is one of the most important examples of Italian Gothic and because it houses absolute masterpieces, such as the marbles of Nicola Pisano and Donatello, the frescoes of Pinturicchio and the sculptures of Michelangelo.
2. How much does the entrance to Siena Cathedral cost?
Entrance to Siena Cathedral alone, including the Piccolomini Chapel, costs €7. However, it is possible to purchase passes lasting several days, which include other monuments too.
3. When can you see the floor of Siena Cathedral?
For conservation reasons, the marbles of the floor of Siena Cathedral are only uncovered for three months a year, from June 27 to July 31 and from August 18 to October 16.
How to get to the Siena Cathedral
The Siena Cathedral is located in the center, in Piazza del Duomo, so it is well signposted and easily reachable on foot, but not directly by car as the historic center of Siena is a limited traffic area.
The city of Siena is located in the center of Tuscany and is also quite easy to reach.
By train: Siena station is well connected to Florence and Rome. The station is also connected to the city center by frequent city buses. On foot, the route to the Cathedral passes through Viale Mazzini, Via Garibaldi and Via dei Montanini and takes about half an hour.
By car: for those arriving from the north, there is the A1 motorway with the Firenze Impruneta exit followed by the Firenze-Siena superstrada. Those arriving from the south, however, can still travel on the A1, then exit at Valdichiana and continue on the Bettolle-Siena junction. The Duomo and Campo car parks are a good option for leaving your car and visiting the center on foot.
By plane: the closest airports to Siena are Florence and Pisa, from which you can reach the city by train or bus.
