Cathedral - Crypt, Medieval crypt under Siena Cathedral, Italy
The crypt beneath the cathedral floor spans a wide chamber supported by sturdy columns and stone walls completely covered in medieval frescoes. The space reveals how builders created a sturdy underground room that was then buried and forgotten for centuries.
This underground room was built as part of the cathedral during the Middle Ages but later buried under rubble and lost to view. Workers discovered this hidden chamber again in 1999 during restoration work, uncovering a forgotten piece of the city's past.
The walls display works by medieval Sienese painters showing scenes from the Bible in vivid detail. These frescoes give you a sense of how artists in this city told sacred stories through their craft.
You reach the crypt by entering through the cathedral building at Piazza del Duomo in the heart of the city. The stairs down are steep and the lighting underground is dim, so wear comfortable shoes and allow your eyes to adjust.
The frescoes show different styles and hands from various artists, revealing how the project evolved over decades. Some works remained unfinished, offering a glimpse into the reality of medieval artistic creation.
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