The extraordinary inlaid marble mosaic floor of Siena’s Cathedral will be unveiled on August 18.
Normally covered by carpets for protection, the floor that Giorgio Vasari called “the most beautiful, grand and magnificent” will reveal its marble intarsia works of art that took centuries to complete, beginning in the 14th century and ending in the 16th, with about 40 artists working on it. The floor consists of 56 panels of different sizes, representing sibyls, scenes from the Old Testament, allegories and virtues.
Visitors will also be able to admire the floor from high above by accessing the Porta del Cielo (Gateway to Heaven) at the very summit of the church (reservation required).
The floor will remain uncovered until October 27.
