How To See the Hidden Floor at Siena Dumo
Once a year the stunning Duomo di Siena uncovers a vast work of art. A masterpiece created over several hundred years by at least 40 artists and artisans, and one that lies in hiding for much of the year unbeknownst to the hordes that visit the cathedral. The secret? The Duomo’s incredibly intricate mosaic floor. A floor that dates to the 14th century and took until the 16th century to finish, worked by both lesser known talents and eminent artists such as Matteo di Giovanni and Neroccio di Bartolomeo de’ Landi.
This wonderful collection of arts remains covered by fibreboard for 11 months of the year to conceal it from the busy feet of thousands of tourists and congregants. It’s made up of 56 panels, some rectangular, others hexagons and rhombuses – representing a vivid mix of scenes from the Old Testament, allegories, the sibyls and virtues. Incredibly many of them are still in their original state, in particular the marble pieces. Look for the beautiful panel representing The She-Wolf of Siena, which was laid in 1373 (& restored in 1864), the vivid red marble and stark imagery are captivating.
We spent 2 hours inspecting the floor – all 14,000 square feet of it – and walking around the cathedral in complete awe, though one could easily spend an entire day, even weeks tracing the various art styles, deciphering the intricate stories and matching each panel to their respective artists.
The floor was unveiled this year for the slightly longer duration of 2 months to celebrate the EXPO. It’s been uncovered since the 18th of August and will be re-covered for another year on the 27th of October, 2015.
For more info take a look at the official cathedral website here.
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