Siena: inside the Duomo

After passing through the Siena cathedral's super-imposing west doors, you're greeted by its even-more-imposing, wildly gorgeous interior. So much to see! And all of it incredibly photogenic.

The larger features, like the graceful arches...

...the striking columns...

...not to mention the imposing coffered dome...

...are enough to make the €4 ticket price the best bargain in town. But smaller details make a big impression, too.

For instance, take a look at that dome interior, close up...

...and of course there's a big organ in a prominent position...

Every square inch of every surface is extravagantly decorated...

But frescos, imaginative stonework, and gilded spandrels aren't all of the decoration on offer in this amazing space. 

There's sculpture, too, and not just the usual anonymous figures. Rather, it's like what you'd see in a special room with limited admission in a top-flight museum; but here, it's just out decorating chapels and tombs. Ah, Italy!

St. Paul, by Michaelangelo...yes, that Michaelangelo

The Wikipedia link at the top of the post can give you all kinds of other information about these sculptures, as well as the rest of the interior (including the famous pulpit which was unfortunately covered in refurbishment scaffolding during our visit). 

But these pieces are famous enough, and fabulous enough, that I still remember them from Mrs. Brown's History of Art class almost 50 years ago!

I'm sorry this photo of Donatello's St. John the Baptist is so dark; it's hidden away in a little side chapel. No problem, guys, it's just one of the best intimations of the stirrings of the Renaissance...no need to put it in a special place...

Fortunately, this Bernini St. Jerome is better-lit, although it's still off in a little side chapel. It might be my favorite of all the sculptures we saw in Italy. Sublime!

Rick Steves' self-guided Duomo tour (in his invaluable Florence and Tuscany guidebook) says Jerome is holding the crucifix like "a violinist lost in beautiful music." Or like a rock guitarist in the middle of a long solo!

There are two more categories of exquisite "details" in the Duomo that deserve their own posts. First up, next time, I'll share what Discover Tuscany calls a "treasure within a treasure," the Piccolomini Library.

And after that, I'll ask you to cast your eyes downward to see the most amazing floors in the world. Every inch of the Duomo floor, like every inch of the walls and ceiling, is also a work of art...

hint of fabulous floors to come

Stay tuned!