Piccolomini Library

A marvellous and stunning place The Piccolomini Library in Siena is a jewel of Renaissance art and humanist culture. Built in the early 16th century to honor Pope Pius II, it forms part of Siena Cathedral and dazzles visitors with its richly decorated interior. The walls are covered with vivid frescoes by Pinturicchio and his workshop, illustrating key moments from the pope’s life in luminous colors and elaborate detail. The ceiling is lavishly ornamented with grotesques and classical motifs, while illuminated choir books are displayed beneath. The library celebrates learning, beauty, and the intellectual ideals of the Renaissance.

The Piccolomini Library is a monumental environment of the Siena cathedral.The library is magically beautiful. Its frescoes and exposed books are priceless treasure. In the honor the memory of the maternal uncle Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pope Pius II), and to preserve the rich bibliographic patrimony that the pontiff and humanist collected when he was in Rome, Cardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, archbishop of Siena (later Pope Pius III), around in 1492 he was built a library on the premises of the old rectory along the north-western side of the Cathedral. Todeschini was inspired by the French tradition that included libraries attached to cathedrals and by the opening of the Vatican Library of Pope Sixtus IV. As for the chronology of the frescoes that decorate the library, they were made by Pinturicchio and his workshop in a period of time ranging from 1503 to 1508 and celebrate the life and deeds of the pontificate of Pius II, rich in evocation of landscapes and real and imaginative costumes, with refined representations of ceremonies and characters, performed with a wealth of glazed colors. Among the beautiful murals besides Pope Pius II is the character of Pinturicchio himself. In the scene with the canonization of Saint Catherine of Siena, among the public of the religious orders, in the lower left, the two figures in which the young Raphael (with red stockings) have long recognized themselves, who would have collaborated with Bernardino di Betto the execution of the frescoes in the Library, and Pinturicchio himself (with the red cap). The fifth scene of the cycle is one of the best known: it represents the meeting, promoted by the pontiff, between Emperor Frederick III and Eleonora of Portugal, which took place on February 24, 1452, near Porta Camollia. In addition to the murals in the room, we can also admire the marble sculpture of Three Graces. Magnificent codes ( Hand Painted and Written Books),(Gradualie Antifonari) are preserved in the display cases on the walls. It is a very representative collection for the history of the Italian miniature of the fifteenth century. Beyond the Sienese artists, the most precious pages are those decorated by Girolamo da Cremona and Liberale da Verona.

The ceiling and brightly coloured walls in this library are just exquisite! The library is dedicated to the beautifully illustrated Hyme books, some of which are 700 years old. You gain entry to the library inside the Cathedral. You will need to purchase a ticket and I suggest the €23 pass which gives you entry to the Cathedral, allows you to climb panoramic facade, the Mini Library, the Bapistry, the Museum, the Crypt and to walk the nave in the Cathedral (The Gate of Heaven). Highly recommended

You can only access via the Cathedral, which requires tickets to enter. The library itself requires no additional ticket. It is exceptionally beautiful and interesting, and I highly recommend making your way through.

In order to visit the Piccolomini library you need to purchase a ticket for the cathedral. The cathedral costs €4 to enter just the cathedral or you can buy the OPI Pass which costs €13 and this gives access to the cathedral, Piccolomini library, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Facciatone, Crypt and Baptistry. It is well worth paying the extra to visit all the other facilities. You can purchase the OPI pass online and book a time slot to visit the cathedral. This saves time not having to queue to enter. Once inside the cathedral you will need to queue to enter the library. I would recommend seeing how long the queue is and if not long visit the library or if too long visit the cathedral. There is a one way system in place in the library. You will enter one door and come out the same door. The staff will keep encouraging you to move forward. Make sure you have your camera ready as you will not be able to go backwards and you will be told to keep moving forward. The frescoes are very impressive. They are in excellent condition and look brand new as though they were painted yesterday. The library is open from 10.30-17:30pm.

It was inside the doumo and possibly the best part of the visit. There is a line since it is cordand off, and you pass through single file. It moves very quickly though. The art in that room was incredible.

Beautiful room inside Siena's cathedral. Spectacular and exceptional artwork in this library constructed by Pope Pius III to commemorate the memory of his uncle, Pope Pius II. The walls are divided into 10 scenes representing various important stages in the life of the Pope, the ceiling itself offers another impressive view with its main rectangle and half voltas painted in blue, red and gold and in the middle of the room there's the beautiful copy of The Three Graces from Roman times.

You can only visit the library from within the Cathedral. The library named after the artist who frescoed it is absolutely beautiful - it looks like the panels were painted yesterday. You need to take some time to really appreciate the quality of painting richness of the colours. So many visitor took a few photographs and then left. The ceiling is also richly frescoed and equally magnificent. The library also contain a number of beautifully illustrated manuscripts from the late 1400’s. An amazing place that I strongly recommend.

Stunning architectural highlight in Siena! You can climb up to see inside the dome and climb the adjacent tower to get an aerial view of the city/surrounding countryside.

We didn't budget nearly enough time in Siena as we should have, and we arrived after most tourist busses, making this place a zoo. We got to look at and take photos of the beautiful exterior architecture of the Siena Duomo, but not go inside due to the line. I recommend doing what I didn't do, arriving early, planning a whole day in Siena because this city is huge, and signing up for tours like the Duomo in advance online. The Duomo has great views and a lot to offer on the inside from my research, and I imagine it would be worth the time and cost of admission. When not touring the cathedral, there is a plethora of exploring and museums in this expansive city. The city center is a huge square where people relax in the sun and sip their cappuccinos. Of course, there are also innumerable shops and restaurants to enjoy. Until next time! We'll do better planning on future trips. Also, just a note if you're driving--this was our first walled city we visited, and we didn't realize you couldn't drive past a certain point. Park outside the walls in one of the many crowded and expensive parking lots.

Without question on of the most beautiful if not the most beautiful church in Italy. Better than Florence and rivals the Vatican in splendor. Amazing detail at every inch. Ceilings are simply a must see. The "pavement" is scene after scene of old world stories expertly installed in the floor. If you came to Siena and ONLY saw the duomo it would be a successful trip.

As I mentioned in my prior review, the actual tour we received of Siena fr the local guide was positive. We started in the square where 20,000 people watch a horse race in an area that is not shaped like a regular track. I have seen this spectacle on TV, and it is organized chaos. It is hard to imagine they can squeeze 20,000 people in the small square. From there we walked to the top of the city and you see the breathtaking medieval Duomo. It captures your eye right away based upon its breadth and architecture. On the inside, there is so much intricate marble, stained glass and the library is equally impressive. You have to pay a fee to enter (an add on for the tour), but it was well worth it especially bc we had a guide. At this point of the tour, I would have been happy if we spent more time in Siena having a leisurely lunch, shopping and doing some wine tasting. A direct bus fr Florence is only €7,80, and it drops you off 3/4 mile closer vs the tour buses.

Once you get to the top, you get some the great views of Siena and the surrounding countryside. We did not want to see the cathedral. We wanted to climb the Duomo to get a good view of Siena. But there is no discounted rate, so we paid 15 euro. It took us 20-30 minutes in queue (small groups at a time and) and you only get maybe 10 minutes up there before your group goes down. This is may be worth 7 to 8 euros, but not 15 to me. But I don't regret it because that view was so good. Note: Someone who dislikes tight spaces may dislike the climb because you have to wait in a small space for a moment or two when you reach the top.

We came here on a Monday and the line for tickets was not too long. We waited about 10 minutes to purchase and got the Opi pass which includes the Cathedral, panorama, Crypt, and Baptistry. We did the sites in the order suggested and it was great. They scan your ticket at every station so you cannot do it more than once. The Cathedral was first, and it was a good one. Not too crowded, we were pretty much able to walk everywhere. There is a library with some cool art off to the side of the main area of the Cathedral. Next, we did the museum, which includes the panorama at the top. This was my favorite as we climbed some very narrow steps and got to be on the roof with amazing views of Siena and the Duomo itself. The Crypt and Baptistry were next. The Crypt was nice and cool on this very hot day we were there. It is under the duomo and you can see the level even below that through glass. The Baptistry was a 5 minute experience for us as it is small to begin with, and the main monument in there was getting work done to it so there was not much to see.

The Duomo di Siena by itself warrants a visit to the city. The cathedral is neither particularly large nor particularly tall. What makes it unique is the artwork on the floor and on the walls. The stories depicted in the artwork tell you a lot about the exciting time when they were created (renaissance). We were able to get more from it because we hired a very knowledgeable guide from the city.

Siena was my favorite mid sized city in Italy. A sweet balance of residential over tourism, this medieval city has retained it's character stunningly. We were there on a Sunday the day before their fabled horse races between the 17 neighborhoods that fan out from this center point of the city. This was also my favorite Cathedral. The great pictures my husband took say it all.

The Duomo in Siena is the historic medieval city's main cathedral. After paying a small entrance fee to visit the church you'll have free reign to explore the breathtaking pieces of priceless art, mosaic floor, intricately carved altar, gorgeous stained glass windows and more at your own leisure. The white and black marble from nearby quarries that were used to construct the exterior gives the cathedral a unique look and mirrors the official colors of the city. The interior of the church is one that will take your breath away. The ornate mosaic floor really makes the church unique and was one of my favorite artistic elements in the church. If you know what you're looking for you'll also find works from Bernini, Michelangelo, and more decorating the interior. There isn't really parking nearby (there aren't really cars allowed this deep into the historic center) so you'll probably have to park somewhere else and walk a bit to reach the church. I'm told that it's possible to climb the steps to the very top of the Duomo and have a wonderful view of the city but I opted not to on this trip. If you're in Siena, it's a can't miss!

With only half a day in Siena, far less than the city deserves, we only had time for a few important spots to see. Siena's main cathedral - the Duomo - was tops on the list. First, we needed to purchase a ticket to go inside, the tickets available at the Duomo ticket office in an adjacent building to the right. You can get tickets just to see the Duomo, or a more expensive pass to also see the museum, crypt and baptistery. Entrance is free if you just are attending a mass. The exterior façade is striking, every inch seemingly boasting ornate carvings, showing off the handiwork of artisans from long ago, and featuring a distinctive striped look. A surrounding set of stairs are convenient for giving your feet a break. The interior is breathtaking. Sculpture by Michelangelo, Bernini, Donatello; inlaid marble floors (uncovered August-October); amazing stained-glass windows, and more. Although we were here on a Sunday afternoon in the late summer the crowds were manageable, much less than Florence. Outside is an odd, unfinished extension of the Cathedral. Siena, locked in a tit-for-tat battle with Florence over whose Cathedral was the biggest, had begun a huge enlargement of the Duomo. Alas, the Black Death wiped out half the population, and doomed the project.

This is one big church in Siena, Italy. The construction of it is clearly impressive, especially when the age is considered. There is also noticeable we're in the stone flooring from the thousands of visitors each day the marvel at it. It's in the middle of the town of Siena and it white and black stone from which it was made is unique. You'll need a ticket to enter, they are available across the plaza. Come early, it's a busy place. It's worth a visit if your in the area.

I find myself daydreaming about travel a lot lately. I guess it's my way of coping with being in some version of quarantine for, oh, the last 10 months or so... and Italian landmarks pop into my head often. On a rainy day a couple of lifetimes ago, I visited the Duomo di Siena. It has always stuck with me as one of the most masterful architectural achievements I have ever seen. I look forward to seeing it through my children's eyes one day. If you are in Tuscany, definitely add Siena to your trip. The history of the horse races and this cathedral alone make it worth a visit! The duomo is a huge medieval presence, striped black and white like a zebra, making itself known in the centre of a historic Tuscan town. I mean, come on, how could a gothic monolith like this not stay with you? If you also need a little mental escape today, check it out: https://operaduomo.siena.it/en/

This was a really beautiful cathedral to visit in Siena! On the day we went, we got our tickets free of charge for some reason, so we obviously went in and we were not disappointed! Beautifully crafted with amazing pieces of art. You can even see the unfinished wing on the outside. Not only the city itself was beautiful, the duomo truly made our visit special!

Breathtaking inside and out. This building is by far one of my favorites in Italy. The outside and inside are both magnificent. Highly recommend going inside and taking some time to look around!

We really enjoyed the 14th century Cathedral as it was our first experience in an Italian church. The paintings on the side altars are amazing and beautiful. There is Italian marble everywhere you look and the floor is covered with artworks of marble inlays. The entrance fee is minimal and you can purchase a combination ticket and visit the museum as well. Do not miss this one if you visit Siena.

Incredible architect and unique materials used in construction give the Duomo in Siena a majestic facade and incredibly intricate interior. Try to schedule your visit when they have the floors uncovered. The incredible marble inlays are stunning, but they are kept covered for the majority of the year.

We bought combo tickets for the Duomo, museum, Baptistry and Crypt, and we were blown away with our tour guides! We have seen all the major churches and Cathedrals in Italy, and many of the lesser-knowns, too, and nothing comes anywhere close to this one! Each has it's own unique style, but this one was the most memorable for me! The interior tour was brilliantly executed and our tour guides made us feel like private guests getting a unique inside tour! I could go back every day and see something new! They cover different parts of the floor at different times, so one would need to go at different times to see it all. The Baptistry was the most spectacular, and the Crypt was also well worth a visit, with vibrant colors and lovely maintained!

Absolutely amazing church. Some may think the use of black marble makes it similar to the main church in Florence, but this place is so much more. Between the marble and the mosaics on the floor, you'll definitely be blown away. But don't stop there, make sure you wait your turn to enter the room with the frescos. Honestly breath taking, this is one of the few places where you'll really understand what frescos are supposed to look like. As this room has never been exposed to candle light, it's never needed to be restored and the colors are just as vibrant as they were hundreds of years ago. And if that's not all, the original books on display are also works of art. If you're in the Tuscany region make it to Siena, and make it to this church!

I loved walking around the Sienna Duomo as the building is so beautiful, but since we were short on time, I didn't pay the money to go in, which I realized later was a BIG mistake as our guide later on the bus explained that the inside has amazing artwork (Stuff by Donatello and something called the Piccolomini Library, where the altar has 4 statues of saints sculpted by Michelangelo and apparently a young Raphael helped in painting the frescos!!!) and Romanesque-Gothic architecture features which are unique only to this church, and not seen in the Florence or other local Tuscan duomo's. I could see that the white and greenish-black pattern of the strips for the church was quite unique, as had not encountered it in my travels thru Tuscany so far. Our tour guide explained that the cathedral shape is that of a Latin cross and the colors of the marble used both outside and inside the church is significant as black and white are the symbolic colors of Siena. Our guide also explained a bit about the site of the church and how it was built in the 1100s where originally a temple dedicated to the goddess Minerva once stood. The other thing of note she mentioned about this church was that the Floor of the Duomo di Siena has really impressive inlayed detailed panelling, created in marble mosaic, which cover practically the entire church floor. However a good portion of the marble floor is covered for much of the year. If you're interested in seeing the floor in its entirety, you'll have to visit during the special 'Uncovering Floor Period' which is in September and October. There is also an unfinished wall that sticks out towards the right of the church and the guide explained this remained unfinished as it was started to being built during the Black Plague, but after the population was decimated, construction was stopped and was never restarted. Apparently now the wall is a great platform to climb up to and enjoy a wonderful panoramic view of Siena, including the nearby Piazza del Campo - I didn't do this either :( So there's quite a bit left for me to explore around the Duomo on my next visit, but hopefully this review will help convince other Yelpers to not make my mistake and pay the money/ buy a combo ticket to expire the wonderful treasures of this Church!

10/28/2013 The Duomo is Siena was magnificent - lots of history and elegance. The duomo was FREE when we visited that day, so that was a bonus. :) I can't believe how much history surrounds this church, and just the grandeur of it in this small hillside town. We didn't take one of their "audio tours" but saw that many people did in order to get a better glimpse into Italian history.

Siena Cathedral is a fantastic medieval church in the heart of Siena, Italy, which has its roots in Roman Catholic heritage. It was dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta, has a breathtaking view on the very top of one of the several hills the City of Siena was built on. Overall, the history of this church is amazing, from how they built it, to its expansion which was never finished (you can see it when you stand in the square) is so charming. If you are in Siena, make sure you wonder away from the main square and see it. The walk is only about 10 minutes or so!

This was an amazing Cathedral. Such a huge and magnificently built Church. Black and white stonework of this cathedral was such a change than the other churches we visited. It is the finest examples of Italian Gothic architecture.The walls and columns of the church's interior are covered with black and white marble. Truly worth seeing if you are in Siena or the surroundings.

This review described our wonderful day trip to see the beautiful duomo. Just admiring the spectacular church from the square was well worth our visit. We got to see Il Campo another magnificent sight. Close by. The train ride from Florence to Siena with many stops took over an hour. From the tourist office at the train station we obtained a city map that outlined the route to the major attractions within city walls. Following the map, we made a left turn to a building that led to the escalator on a lower level and rode a series of escalators to ascend a steep hill to reach Antiporto. From there we walked to Porta Camollia, a gate to enter the walled city. Once in we followed the main street towards our primary destinations: Il Campo and Piazza Duomo. There was clear directional signage on the narrow streets dotted with churches squares and nice little shops. The leisurely stroll took 3 hours with souvenir shopping stops along the way. The two buildings were both just awesome and beautifully photogenic. On the way back to the station we had lunch at the mall across from the station before catching a train to Florence. It was a wonderful day trip.

My father made sure we made the trek here on our day trip to Siena. One step inside the church and I was greeted by the most beautiful church I had ever seen with its gorgeous black and white marble with blue starry-night ceiling! This holy sanctuary is truly one-of-a-kind and a sight I hope every traveler to Italy gets to behold.

This is where you want to stay indoors to admire the intricate details. The stained-glass round window in the choir was made in 1288 to the designs of Duccio. It is one of the earliest remaining examples of Italian stained glass. The round stained-glass window in the façade dates from 1549 and represents the Last Supper. It is the work of Pastorino de' Pastorini (which is now my Facebook background). The inlaid marble mosaic floor is one of the most ornate of its kind in Italy, covering the whole floor of the cathedral. This undertaking went on from the 14th to the 16th centuries, and about forty artists made their contribution. The floor consists of 56 panels in different sizes. Most have a rectangular shape, but the later ones in the transept are hexagons or rhombuses. They represent the sibyls, scenes from the Old Testament, allegories and virtues. Most are still in their original state. The earliest scenes were made by a graffito technique: drilling tiny holes and scratching lines in the marble and filling these with bitumen or mineral pitch. In a later stage black, white, green, red and blue marble intarsia were used. This technique of marble inlay also evolved during the years, finally resulting in a vigorous contrast of light and dark, giving it an almost modern, impressionistic composition. I love taking photos after photos, here! They even have a Cross map of the cathedral inside so you won't get lost! The She-Wolf of Siena (one of the inlaid marble floors) with the emblems of the confederate cities (Lupa senese e simboli delle città alleate) probably dates from 1373 (also restored in 1864). Admire the Duomo in Florence all you want, all day, all week but come to Siena and admire the inside of the Duomo and stay for a month longer! It is a must-see on your list!

Gorgeous church. The marble inside is magnificent. One must visit this church if visiting Siena. So much history and beautiful architecture.