In the left nave of the famous cathedral, one of the city’s icons, lies a truly extraordinary treasure where, for more than five centuries, a priceless heritage of art and beauty has been preserved.
Crossing the threshold of the Cathedral of Siena, you are overwhelmed by a sensation of grandeur and wonder that leaves you breathless. This is thanks to the hundreds of works of art preserved in it, from the statues of Donatello and Bernini, to the “the most beautiful floor that had ever been made” as Vasari defined it, up to the starry dome overlooking infinity.
In this unique treasure chest in the world, in 1492 Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini Todeschini, archbishop of Siena, had a very special environment built in order to collect the incredible book heritage received from his uncle Pope Pius II, a famous humanist of his time.
The practice that is done through study over many years of drawing is the true light of drawing and what makes men excellent.
(Giorgio Vasari)
He chose to build a small library accessible from the left nave of the cathedral, inspired by the French customs of the time, and commissioned the famous artist Pinturicchio to decorate the entire collection. The works began in 1502 and the painter was commissioned to represent the life of Pius II through 10 exemplary scenes taken from the biography of Giovanni Antonio Campanaro and from the Commentaries written by the protagonist himself, which were reproduced on the walls.
Historical sources hypothesize the presence of Amico Aspertini and a young Raffaello Sanzio who helped Pinturicchio create the preparatory drawings for the impressive pictorial work dedicated to the pontiff. An extraordinary photograph of Sienese life in the mid-fifteenth century, full of precious details that tell the particular habits and customs of the time.
The colorful vault takes inspiration from the Roman Domus Aurea, rediscovered in those years. In the center is the Piccolomini coat of arms, surrounded by representations of the Vices and Virtues and pagan myths inspired by the decorations on the sarcophagi.
In the center of the room was placed a statue depicting the Three Graces owned by Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, that, frowned upon for the female nudity it exhibited, spent centuries being moved between the library and the Cathedral Museum until, in 1972, it was once again brought back to its original location thanks to the art historian Enzo Carli, then director of the Museum.
Above the entrance, there is a tabernacle depicting the Expulsion of Adam and Eve from Paradise. On it, in very small characters visible only to a careful eye, Francesco Todeschini had his uncle’s last words engraved, to eternally commemorate not only his grandiose life but also his human fragility: Deum maximum et posteros of / fendi utriusque debeo neuter mihi (Offended God Maximus and posterity. I am indebted to both of them, none of them to me).
The Secret
One of the most famous scenes of the fresco cycle sees Enea Silvio Piccolomini, then bishop of Siena, presiding over the pre-nuptial meeting between Frederick III and Eleonora of Portugal. The place depicted in the scene actually exists and is located to the north of the city, outside the Porta Camollia. Here there is still a column, erected in 1452 to commemorate the happy event.
Useful Info
Siena Opera della Metropolitana
Piazza Duomo 8
53100 Siena
Tel. +39 0577 283048
To visit the Library it is necessary to purchase a ticket for access the entire Cathedral, available on the museum website or at the internal ticket office
