The Cathedral in Siena photo copyrighted by: Galen R. Frysinger The Cathedral of Sienna is said to occupy the site of a temple of Minerva. The
present building was begun in the early 13 C and the cupola was finished in 1464.
But in 1339, it was decided to so enlarge the cathedral that the area then occupied
by the nave should form the transepts of the new building. In fact the construction of the longitudinal nave, now in part incorporated in the Opera del Duomo, was actually commenced. Though the plague of 1348 compelled the citizens to abandon this plan, they determined to complete the original design in a worthy manner. As it stands, the building is about 292 ft. long and 80 ft. wide — 168 ft. in the transepts. The facade is decorated with bands of red, white and black marble, tricuspidal, and richly adorned with sculptures (restored in 1869) and
with mosaics (renewed in 1878).
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