The Cathedral of Siena 2ｰ, a photo from Siena, Tuscany

Photographer's Note

The Cathedral of Siena (Italian: Duomo di Siena), dedicated from its earliest days as a Roman Catholic Marian church and now to Santa Maria Assunta (Most Holy Mary of Assumption), is a medieval church in Siena, central Italy. The cathedral itself was originally designed and completed between 1215 and 1263 on the site of an earlier structure. It has the form of a Latin cross with a slightly projecting transept, a dome and a bell tower. The dome rises from a hexagonal base with supporting columns. The lantern atop the dome was added by Gian Lorenzo Bernini. The nave is separated from the two aisles by semicircular arches. The exterior and interior are constructed of white and greenish-black marble in alternating stripes, with addition of red marble on the fa軋de. Black and white are the symbolic colors of Siena, etiologically linked to black and white horses of the legendary city's founders, Senius and Aschius. The origins of the first structure are obscure and shrouded in legend. There was a 9th century church with bishop's palace at the present location. In December 1058 a synod was held in this church resulting in the election of pope Nicholas II and the deposition of the antipope Benedict X. In 1196 the cathedral masons� guild, the Opera di Santa Maria, was put in charge of the construction of a new cathedral. By 1215 there were already daily masses said in the new church. There are records from 1226 onwards of the transport of black and white marble, probably for the construction of the fa軋de and the bell tower. The vaults and the transept were constructed in 1259-1260. In 1259 Manuello di Ranieri and his son Parri carved some wooden choir stalls, which were replaced about 100 years later and have now disappeared. In 1264, Rosso Padellaio was paid for the copper sphere on top of the dome. A second massive addition was planned in 1339. It would have more than doubled the size of the structure by means of an entirely new nave and two aisles ranged perpendicular to the existing nave and centred on the high altar. The construction was begun under the direction of Giovanni di Agostino, better known as a sculptor. Construction was halted by the Black Death in 1348. Basic errors in the construction were already evident by then, however, and the work was never resumed. The outer walls, remains of this extension, can now be seen to the south of the Duomo. The floor of the uncompleted nave now serves as a parking lot and museum, and, though unfinished, the remains are testament to Sienese power, ambition, and artistic achievement. Underneath the choir of the Duomo, a narthex containing important late-13th century frescoes (probably about 1280) was found and excavated in 1999-2003. The frescoes depict scenes from the Old Testament and the life of Christ. This was part of the entrance of an earlier church. But when the baptistry was built, this under-church was filled with rubble. The narthex is now open to the public. The fa軋de of this cathedral was built in two stages. The lower part in polychrome marble was begun around 1284. It is built in Tuscan Gothic style by Giovanni Pisano, replete with gargoyles. Giovanni Pisano worked on the lower levels until 1296, when he suddenly left Siena. At that time, between 1270 and 1285, the nave of the church had been raised and a higher fa軋de became necessary. Work at the fa軋de continued for another fifteen years and was then stopped. Meanwhile in 1288, the rose window, a large circular stained-glass window, was installed in the choir, based on designs by Duccio di Buoninsegna.
The three portals, surmounted by lunettes and Gothic pediments, were designed by Giovanni Pisano. The columns between the portals are richly decorated with acanthus scrolls, allegorical figures and biblical scenes. Work on the upper part of the fa軋de only resumed in 1376 under the direction of Giovanni di Cecco, working on a new elaborate design, inspired by the Orvieto Cathedral. It was to be erected much higher than foreseen, because the nave had, once again, been raised. The division of the upper part does not match the division of the lower part. The pinnacles of the upper part do not continue over the columns flanking the central portal. The weight of the elegant side towers was reduced by adding windows. The statues of the lavish fa軋de were sculpted by Giovanni Pisano and assistants. They represent prophets, philosophers and apostles. The half-length statues of the patriarchs in the niches around the rose window are the work of other sculptors. Almost all the sculptures on view are copies. The originals are kept in the "Crypt of the Statues" in the Museo dell'Opera del Duomo. The bronze central door is recent and dates from 1958. It was made by Enrico Manfrini. The scenes on the door represent the Glorification of the Virgin. The three large mosaics on the gables of the fa軋de were made in Venice in 1878. The large central mosaic, the Coronation of the Virgin, is the work of Luigi Mussini. The smaller mosaics on each side, Nativity of Jesus and Presentation of Mary in the Temple, were made by Alessandro Franchi. On the left corner pier of the fa軋de, a 14th century inscription can be found, marking the grave of Giovanni Pisano. Next to the fa軋de stands a column with the she-wolf breast-feeding Romulus and Remus, symbol of Siena (and also of the contrade Lupa). According to legend, Senius and Aschius, sons of Remus, founded Siena. They had stolen the statue of the she-wolf from the Temple of Apollo in Rome.

SnapRJW, rmajum, timecapturer, lakshmip1949, tyro, prasun984, Kofman, vasilpro, PaulVDV, baddori, adores, csabagaba, delpeoples, siolaw, ManuMay, Zengi001, desy65, janneman, romalek, macjake, agulberk, Island, Robert1969, Robert1969 has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

dale54 (17768) 2011-11-21 2:22

YOUVE DONE WELL HERE.HI VALTER.CRYSTAL CLEAR PIC,GREAT LIGHT IN THIS! TFS! HAVE A GOOD DAY! DR

SnapRJW (31631) 2011-11-21 2:41

This is a very good interior Valter, I love the subdued colours and layers of pattern and design. You have managed the shot well and all the richness of the cathedral interior is very nicely presented. Best regards rosemary

timecapturer (49288) 2011-11-21 2:55

Hello Valter
a magnificent capture of this amazing interior. Such superb detail and colours with excellently controlled light. Glorious!

Have a great week - Brian.

JFS (32459) 2011-11-21 3:02

Hi Valter,
Mamma mia! What a beautiful shot! How well you have captured this marvel! The management of the light is perfect too. My compliments!

Thanks and regards,
Juan

rmajum (1207) 2011-11-21 3:07

Ciao Valter,
This graphical presentation of the chapel interior is superb.The colour tones are low and clarity is excellent. And the POV with good DOF. The lone visitor adds to the picture.

Hve a good day,
Ranjan

siudzi (34141) 2011-11-21 3:44

Hi Valter,

Wow! What a wonderful interior! Excellent image created with a perfect symmetry, great light control and superb sharpness. The view is really outstanding. Very well done! TFS.

Warm regards,
Malgorzata

lakshmip1949 (19081) 2011-11-21 3:48

Hello Valter,

One more beautiful image from your gallery. A well composed shot of this interior with so much intricate details, colors and quality. The image has great depth and the light management is perfect. The man standing on the left gives an idea about the size of this hall.

Lakshmi

tyro (30513) 2011-11-21 4:14

Hello Valter,

What a wonderfully detailed and informative note you have written for us - and what a beautiful photograph with which to illustrate it!

Lovely symmetrical composition with the lady looking on at the left side adding just the right amount of human interest. Lovely soft colours and beautiful lighting. Amazing detail and sharpness to.

Isn't it just wonderful how these modern cameras can cope with such low light? I see that you have used ISO 6400 on your 7D for this one - and not a trace of noise!

Beautiful!

Kind Regards,

John.

prasun984 (5590) 2011-11-21 5:53

Hi Valter...
lovely inside details of the Cathedral...like the design & pattern of the floor & pillars...the lady at left add a fine touch for this image...
good exposure controlled with nice light management...nice color contrast & sharpness also...
good informative Note...

Prasun

Silvio1953 (221435) 2011-11-21 6:21

Ciao Valter, gran bella vista di un fantastico interno, fantastica luce, splendida nitidezza, magnifica prospettiva, bravo, ciao Silvio

rychem (72187) 2011-11-21 7:49

Beautifully captured cathedral, rich and sharp details,well managed light and nice symmetry, excellent done
regards
Ryszard

No_One (4) 2011-11-21 7:51 [Comment]

Show Comment

gus72 (3719) 2011-11-21 8:56

Hi Valter !! I beg to differ here.....symmetry is not such a big deal with this image.... what counts is the detailing in the decoration of the church, the extensive note that you have included and the perfect clarity of photo which shows perfect management of the light.
in other words we all value and like this photo for different reasons.

Ciao
Gus

vasilpro (41801) 2011-11-21 9:41

Hello Valter,
Wonderful composition, impressive interior of a Cathedral, interesting architectural details, excellent POV and perspective, great clarity and sharpnes, lovely light and vivid colors, TFS!
Warm regards, Vasilis.

vrabieionut (2189) 2011-11-21 10:49

Hi Valter,

Wonderful Cathedral.....beautiful vertical composition to enhance the beauty of this masterpiece, well done.

Have a nice evening,
Ionut

stevesaba (8167) 2011-11-21 10:51

Hi Valter!
A fantastic interior photo; very well done, and very attractive. Warm regards,
Steve

rigoletto (34279) 2011-11-21 11:39

Excellent presentation of this magnificent architecture. I regard it a successfull travel photo if it makes me want to go there (even if i don't have the energy in me), and this one really gives that impulse. Bravo!
Deniz

PaulVDV (62846) 2011-11-21 13:35

Ciao Valter,
You captured the wonderful and rich interior of this cathedral perfectly.
Excellent light management, clarity, sharpness and DOF.
It's a fantastic picture to look at.
Best regards, Paul

baddori (20341) 2011-11-21 15:32

Valter
Una foto di spessore, in un contesto rico di particolari , ottima luce e elemento "alto" con lanterna da set .
Il pavimento � uno schianto ...ah Siena - Firenze che gara .
GF

adores (46979) 2011-11-21 17:28

Hi Valter!
Such an unusual interior here!I like the pov and specially the effect created by the stripes on the walls and the pavement. Good light management!

csabagaba (7018) 2011-11-22 1:36

Walter Ciao!
Stunning images from this l�lleges church. A few days ago, I saw on TV this building a program. It was interesting to me to know the history of the building. A grand plan by the plague of money and the absence of abandonment. But what has been built ... that's wonderful. You're a very impressive image you created this place. Interesting to see the strong Moorish influence, which was not really typical of the Italian Renaissance style.
The woman on the left side, it helps to understand the proportions.
Excellent documentation.
Regards
Csaba

lousat (139164) 2011-11-22 2:14

Ciao Valter,uno spettacolo architettonico senza pari,impressionante immagine con dettagli magnifici per creare queste geometrie,grande gestione della luce sempre difficile in queste situazioni,complimenti e buona giornata,Luciano

schumanng (0) 2011-11-24 2:20

Ciao,
� una magnifica foto di architettura, ultradefinita e perfettamente esposta: da manuale.
Salutoni,
Giorgio

sevy (58) 2011-11-24 2:28

Hello,

Very nice place. I have in mind to better visit Italy and especially Tuscany, but it was not yet realised.
I like here the point of view and the use of symetry. As well, a good management of the exposure to share the details of the architectur.

Yves.

delpeoples (60342) 2011-11-24 2:44

Caro Valter

Wow! UNO dei interni piu' belli Che ho Mai visto. La simmetria, la prospettiva Ed il gestione della luce sono strepitose. Non posso chiedere di piu'! Complimenti!

Cari saluti
Lisa

siolaw (38294) 2011-11-24 4:58

Ciao Valter
Bellissima questa cattedrale! E la tua foto ci la fa conoscere sotto un bel punto di vista simmetrico con verticali perfetti.
Complimenti
Laurent

tatadalou (7459) 2011-11-24 15:42

Ciao Valter,
Grazie per aver condiviso questo punto di vista spettacolare degli interni del Duomo di Siena. Inquadratura simmetrica rafforza, a mio avviso, l'impressione di monumentalit�. Splendidamente saturi i colori.
Saluti,
Delphine

korbee (6619) 2011-11-25 10:37

This architecture is everything in its extreme Valter,this is very fine work,normally in this kind of circumstances its pretty hard to get good light result
You did extremly well here,specially in the high ceiling in the back.

jan

ManuMay (36447) 2011-11-26 13:09

Ciao Valter!

A great work...amazing place and a very, very good capture!!

Perfect sharpness and definition, every line, every detail, really good from a point of view perfect, well choosen ...enhancing volumes and eighths...a superb light management indeed!!

Congratulations...

Manu

TopGeo (38220) 2011-11-27 3:37

Wow,Valter very impressive place, very impressive FG and low POV, excellent Cathedral note and photography! Great composition and framing, so many beautiful "elements", interior frame with impressive dynamic! Excellent light management, wonderful colours! Beautiful architecture photo, scene! Congratulations!ciao
Georgios

m (0) 2011-11-28 10:14

Hi Valter,

This geometry is really captivating and overwhelming. Just wow! It's a pity there's a woman in the frame on the left.I know a casual figure may add character to a shot sometimes but here I think it's rather a hindrance. I wish it were only these gorgeous pure lines and forms:)

Thanks and all the best,
Marina

kennyblack (4207) 2011-12-04 10:17

Ciao Valter, fantastico interno, scattato con grande maestria e gestione della luce. Molto belli e reali i colori e la nitidezza del dettaglio anche in lontananza.
Ottimo lavoro :))
Un saluto ed augurio di buona domenica ... Marino

jmdias (115030) 2011-12-07 0:40

valter

very beautiful details of this architecture I hope to know next year. very beautiful framing, sharpness and light are very nice, we can enjoy the beauty of the place. TFS.

hugs

jorge

Gigidusud (21679) 2011-12-07 13:35

Ciao Valter,
Bellissima foto con colori e luce splendida!
Mi piace Siena ed Firenza e si, sono d'origini Italiano!
Complimento.
Ghislaine

Sonata11 (34119) 2011-12-13 19:32

Hello Valter,
I so impressed of this architecture of the cathedral in Siena. An amazing work. My congratulation. AWESOME !!!!!
I cordially greet,
Barbara

Zengi001 (2883) 2011-12-13 22:50

Hello Valter,

Sharp image with good point of wiev which reveals the magnificience of this old cathedral..

Thanks for sharing,

Best Regards
Engin.

desy65 (576) 2011-12-16 14:24

Ciao Valter
Mi piacciono molto gli interni delle cattedrali e chiese ma non mi riescono mai bene a causa della luce scarsa che regna all' interno.
Questa tua � meravigliosa e dettagliata come pure il testo. Grazie del post
Un saluto, buon weekend Desy

krzychu30 (15512) 2011-12-17 0:18

Hello Valter,
I have definitely too much work lately,that I could oversee such fantastic image from you.About the quality-itｴs just superb.Well-selected POV to present us this beautifuly decorated interior.And all of these decorations and architectural details are absolutely stunning.Great work my friend!
Wish you a nice weekend
Krzysztof

janneman (4037) 2011-12-29 4:03

Never been here, but I think it must be a masterpiece in architecture.
Beautiful symmetrie.

Regards, Jan

bornav (486) 2012-01-01 1:56 [Comment]

Show Comment

Lefkada1970 (179) 2012-01-03 1:08

Greetings paizano.Nice image,allot of detail and colour.You can gaze at this for a while,well done.Best wishes,2012.Chiao

francio64 (39888) 2012-01-05 5:08

Ciao Valter,
bellissima immagine dell'interno del Duomo di Siena.
L'immagine non � del tutto simmetrica, ma lo sharp � impressionante. Quasi taglia lo schermo.

Eccellente gestione della luce, non facile per foto come queste, specialmente senza l'uso di un cavalletto.

TFS!
L'Assessore

P.S.
Grazie ancora per la tua disponibilit� nei miei confronti.

carlo62 (81265) 2012-01-11 0:43

Vado spesso a Siena per lavoro, ho visto tante immagini del Duomo e questo � sicuramente tra le migliori che ho visto. Complimenti.

Saluti

Carlo

romalek (3126) 2012-01-24 4:35

Hi!
Interesting architecture, very nice interior, very good colors and sharpness
greetings
Roman

macjake (98392) 2012-01-25 18:53

Hi Valter
this is a very imposing view.
it has a real intimidating feel to it.
love the depth, the POV, the colors, the decoration, the details...it really shines.
fine work
cheers
craig

aliabazari (22065) 2012-02-04 12:19

Hi ...
This picture is like a beautiful carpet. Very nice

jimkil (1706) 2012-02-08 0:21

Hello Valter
Splendid work here, the photo does the architecture excellent justice for the eyes. Perfect detail throughout and sublime perspective.
Regards
Jim

yquem46 (38752) 2012-02-09 15:55

Ciao Valter
How come I missed this one, I wonder ?!
But everything has been said here
Just have to add my praise to the long list
Bravo
Patrick

Morteza_E (879) 2012-02-10 20:52

Hello.

Picture of a very interesting and beautiful. Good exposure. A good combination

ruisc_pt (11584) 2012-02-19 10:09

Wow..., what a sharpness here and fantastic light management.
Superb!
TFS Valter
Rui

agulberk (3794) 2012-02-23 18:59

Hello Valter
Wonderful architectural and historical Cathedral which has bautiful and interesting artwork,original interior design , decorations of floor,dome and the large columns. You presented very well with perfect perspective to get strong sense of depth, good light management to get sense of sharpness and clarity despite difficult conditions of interior place,also your choice of vertical frame is quite accurate to show many details to look at.
Thanks for sharing
Kind regards
Adnan

Ricx (13495) 2012-02-25 23:06

Hi Valter,, superb.. dont know how I missed this one before.. It is certainly one expensive building.. Ken Follet wrote a book called Pillars of the Earth.. and it revolved around families and village of a mason, the royalty and the Church.. fascinating.. the craftmans ship is superb- you have caught it beautifully.. well posted Ric

ikeharel (113219) 2012-03-16 1:14

The floor and pillars of this cathedral is a fine art-job built, valter. You managed a perfect light and depth indoor's, golden tone dominance.
Fine shot, ciao
Ike

rabdelnoor (3423) 2012-04-03 20:45

Hi Valter,
This cathedral is really amazing. The architecture is really inovative and different from most others in Italy. Great light and colours.
Regards
Ricardo

Island (654) 2012-05-13 10:57

Ciao Valter,
bellissima foto con una nitidezza perfetta cos� come la prospettiva. La luce � gestita benissimo...
Ottimo lavoro! Congratulazioni! :)
Marie-Anne

claudeD (47754) 2012-06-04 10:42

Hello Valter,

very fine interior architecture shot with a perfect symetrical composition. Excellent sharpness. Very good informative note. Excellent contribution to TE.Very good fotojob.TFS.

With regards from Luxembourg

JC

vmukherjee (614) 2012-08-01 13:31

Nice shot with good composition and sharpness.

Miguel82 (47110) 2013-02-22 13:12

Huge place, went there many years back Valter
What a beautiful architectural interior
You select a nice pov
Best regards

kiks (12805) 2013-03-05 7:27

FANTASTIC. you got the pov and exposure just right to share with us the beauty of this cathedraal.
Best regards
KIKs

Robert1969 (7160) 2013-04-19 0:49

Hello Valter,

Impressing Church with a lots of details and
decorations. Point of view and composition
are great: picture has a lots of depth and
highness and some kind of symmetry. The light
management is also great.

Friendly regards,
Robert

maloutim (13617) 2013-05-02 1:14

Che vista maestosa di questa magnifica cattedrale !
Hai catturato la grandiosit� magistralmente, pero allo stesso tempo, ci sono tutti i dettagli molto n�tidi illuminati da una luce perfetta.
Ottimo effetto creato dai marmi di colori differenti e dalla decorazione elegante d'intarsio sul suolo.
Bravissimo per questa foto eccezionale.
Marie-Louise.

mkamionka (74291) 2013-10-03 2:08

Hi Valter,
this is a very impressive interior photo. I like the perfect symmetry and straight perspective. Amazing patterns everywhere, it seems realy unique! It makes me wanna go there...
Beautiful work,
M