There is a moment, every day, when Siena Cathedral opens its eyes to the world, when light filters through the spires and caresses the polychrome marble of its facade: it is dawn, and it is at that suspended hour, when the city still sleeps and the noises slumber, that The Claviger: the awakening of Siena Cathedral comes to life, an extraordinary experience designed for a few, very few indeed: a maximum of 18 people at a time.
From June 27 to July 31, 2025, from Tuesday to Friday, at 7:15 a.m., the majestic monumental complex of Santa Maria Assunta will slowly open, guiding visitors through an intimate and solemn journey, following the ancient and daily gesture of those who guard its keys. The initiative, promoted by theOpera della Metropolitana di Siena and organized by Opera Laboratori, aims to be among the most significant cultural experiences of the Sienese summer, interweaving spirituality, art and the magic of time beginning again.
The proposal includes a visit with the claviger, the keeper of the keys to the cathedral, the one who performs a daily opening ritual that is not only physical, but symbolic. Door after door, key after key, a sacred place, rich in history and beauty, is revealed. The audience, in silence, participates in this ritual of the beginning: the lights turning on, the breath of the spaces expanding, the slow pace through the still empty aisles.
The tour begins at 7:15 and ends around 8:45. An hour and a half in which the cathedral shows itself as it has never been seen before: not only in its artistic magnificence, but in its becoming, as it prepares to welcome the daily streams of worshippers, tourists, and enthusiasts. The visit is meant to be an opportunity to experience the Cathedral not as a monument, but as a living organism, laden with signs, memories, and gestures that have been repeated for centuries.
The beating heart of this visit is undoubtedly the Floor of the Cathedral, uncovered exceptionally during the summer period. The famous “marble carpet,” normally covered for conservation reasons, is revealed in all its beauty and complexity. Centuries of art, theology and philosophy inlaid in polychrome marble unravel along the nave and in the side chapels, telling biblical stories, allegories, sibyls and ancient philosophers.
During the tour, visitors will also have access to the Piccolomini Library, one of the most fascinating places in the entire complex. Commissioned by Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini - future Pope Pius III - to celebrate the figure of his uncle Aeneas Silvius Piccolomini, Pope Pius II, the library is a riot of color and visual storytelling.
Vivid frescoes, created by Pinturicchio with the probable contribution of the young Raphael, decorate the walls with scenes from the life of Pius II, while the shelves hold precious illuminated codices. At dawn, natural light creeps through the stained glass windows and restores an authentic vibration to the colors, far from any artifice. It is another of the intimate and unforgettable moments of this experience: to be alone-or almost alone-in front of one of the masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance.
Finally, the tour also provides access to the so-called Gate of Heaven, the elevated path that winds through the attics and vaults of the Cathedral. Open to the public only on selected occasions, this section allows visitors to “walk above the Cathedral,” passing through galleries and panoramic terraces that offer extraordinary views of the city and the interior of the building.
The experience ends with a simple and authentic gesture: a breakfast, offered to all participants, in Piazza San Giovanni, in the heart of Siena. After walking through the Duomo in the silence and light of dawn, visitors will be able to share a convivial moment, overlooking one of the city’s most striking views. A way to gradually return to reality, but with a gaze still filled with beauty.
The initiative has already aroused great interest among the public and is part of a broader program to enhance the heritage of Siena, which aims not only to preserve, but also to tell, to make alive what for too long has been considered only “historical.” Reservations are required and can be made through the official channels of Opera Duomo Siena. For information, you can write to booking@operalaboratori.com or call +39 0577 286300. Places are limited, so booking well in advance is recommended, considering the growing interest in this kind of immersive experience.
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| Siena Cathedral opens to exclusive dawn visits with claviger |
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