To celebratethe Year of St. Francis, proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV on the occasion of the 800th anniversary of the death of the Saint of Assisi, the Archdiocese of Siena–Colle Val d’Elsa–Montalcino and theOpera della Metropolitana di Siena are announcing a new special unveilingof the cathedral’s floor, which will be on view from June 27 to July 31 and then from August 18 to November 15, offering visitors a rare opportunity to admire one of the most extraordinary figurative cycles in the history of European art. The 2026 edition is titled *Il Sommo Bene* (The Supreme Good), an expression taken from the prayer composed by St. Francis after receiving the stigmata at La Verna. The saint’s words evoke the theme of divine wisdom as the source of all knowledge and truth—a concept that finds a profound correspondence in the iconographic program of the Sienese floor, conceived as a symbolic journey toward an understanding of the divine. The extended opening through mid-November also represents a significant development for the educational community. For the first time, in fact, schools of all levels will be able to schedule educational visits during the fall, allowing students to observe up close a work that is normally covered for conservation reasons. The experience will also offer the opportunity to explore the entire monumental complex of the Cathedral, which houses masterpieces by artists such as Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini.
Among the initiatives linked to the Year of St. Francis is the St. Francis Project, promoted by the “Rinaldo Franci” State Conservatory of Siena with the support of the Ministry of Universities and Research. From November 2 to 8, concerts, talks, and educational activities dedicated to the saint and his spiritual message will take place. The organizers have also announced the creation of an international contemporary art competition, which will be developed in the coming months in collaboration with the Palazzo delle Papesse. The project will be open to artists from around the world and will embrace various artistic media, ranging from painting to photography, from installations to performances, and even new forms of digital expression. The theme chosen for the first edition will be “The Floor of Siena Cathedral – Wonder of the World,” inviting artists to engage with the city’s historical, artistic, and spiritual heritage.
Considered one of the absolute pinnacles of Italian art, the cathedral’s floor is the result of a long creative process that unfolded over the course of about six centuries. Created using the techniques of marble inlay and graffito, the cycle comprises fifty-six panels designed by over forty artists, including Pinturicchio and Domenico Beccafumi. The images depict a complex journey of spiritual elevation that intertwines classical culture, biblical tradition, and philosophical reflection, guiding the visitor toward the themes of Wisdom and Revelation. Among the most significant depictions is the one dedicated to Cratetus of Thebes, the philosopher who, according to tradition, renounced his material possessions to devote his life to the pursuit of truth. In the floor’s iconographic program, his figure becomes a symbol of detachment from earthly riches and of the striving toward the Hill of Wisdom, a concept that finds a clear parallel in St. Francis’s choice of radical poverty. The visit can be enriched through various itineraries that include not only the uncovered floor but the entire monumental complex of the Cathedral and Palazzo delle Papesse, a historic building linked to Pope Pius II and now an important cultural space in the city. Guided tours and in-depth activities led by specialized professionals in multiple languages are also available.
Among the most exclusive experiences is “Il clavigero del Duomo – First into the Cathedral,” a tour that grants access to the monumental spaces at the first light of dawn. Participants can witness the Cathedral’s daily opening, following the work of the clavigero as he moves between the Duomo, the Piccolomini Library, and the elevated walkway of the Porta del Cielo, in an atmosphere made even more evocative by the natural morning light. For those wishing to deepen their understanding of this Sienese masterpiece, the book *Un libro di marmo*(A Book of Marble), written by Marilena Caciorgna and published by Sillabe in Italian and English editions, is also available. It analyzes not only the historical-artistic aspects of the mosaics but also their symbolic and spiritual significance, interpreting the floor as a true journey of faith and knowledge.
Info and reservations:
https://operaduomo.siena.it/
Email: booking@operalaboratori.com
Phone: +39 0577 286300
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| The Floor of Siena Cathedral Is Unveiled Once Again: A Journey Through Art, Faith, and Wisdom in the Year of St. Francis |
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