Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana del Duomo, Art museum near Siena Cathedral, Italy
The Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana del Duomo in Siena is a three-story art museum housing works removed from the cathedral during centuries of renovations and modifications. The collection contains Gothic sculptures, paintings, and architectural fragments that document the artistic history of the cathedral.
The museum was founded in 1869 to preserve artworks from the cathedral, including the famous Maestà altarpiece by Duccio di Buoninsegna. This collection comes from a period when the cathedral underwent continuous reshaping while precious artistic treasures were removed.
The ground floor displays statues by Giovanni Pisano from the 14th century showing Sibyls, Prophets, and Philosophers that reflect the evolution of Gothic art in Italy. These works once decorated the cathedral and speak to the artistic ideals of their era.
The museum is fully accessible across its three floors, allowing visitors with mobility limitations to explore all areas. Guided tours in various languages help visitors understand the artworks and the history of the collection.
A large rose window of stained glass created by Duccio between 1287 and 1290 depicts finely detailed scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary. The window demonstrates the technical mastery and artistic vision of medieval glass painters.
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