SIENA CATHEDRAL FLOOR
IL SOMMO BENE
On the occasion of the Jubilee of St. Francis
EXTRAORDINARY DISCOVERY UNTIL NOVEMBER 15, 2026
An international contemporary art competition is planned for the Siena Cathedral floor, open to artists from around the world. Exclusive tours to admire the Cathedral at first light with the harpsichord continue. In November, the “San Francesco Project” will be held with the Rinaldo Franci Conservatory and the Ministry of Universities and Research.
June 27 – July 31, 2026 | August 18 – November 15, 2026
On the occasion of the Year of Saint Francis, proclaimed by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV to commemorate the eighth centenary of the passing of the Saint of Assisi (3 October 1226), the Archdiocese of Siena – Colle Val d’Elsa – Montalcino and the Opera della Metropolitana di Siena announce the extraordinary unveiling of the Duomo floor, one of the largest and most valuable figurative cycles in the history of Italian art, from 27 June to 31 July and from 18 August to 15 November.
This year’s title, “Il Sommo Bene,” draws on the words of the famous prayer that Saint Francis composed after receiving the stigmata on Mount La Verna: “You are the good, all good, the supreme good, Lord God, living and true. You are wisdom.” This invocation recognizes God as the source of all wisdom and absolute truth—the same ideal that inspires the iconographic program of the Siena pavement, humanity’s symbolic journey toward divine knowledge.
The concert for the 800th anniversary of the Saint’s death
From November 2 to 8, 2026, a series of events will be held as part of the “San Francesco Project,” featuring music, dialogue, and education to mark the eight hundredth anniversary of the death of the Saint of Assisi. The events are organized by the “Rinaldo Franci” State Conservatory of Siena (Institute of Advanced Musical Education) and the Ministry of Universities and Research.
A unique opportunity for schools
The unveiling, scheduled for November 15th, offers a first-time opportunity for schools of all levels. Schools will finally be able to organize guided tours during the fall, allowing students to admire this unique masterpiece firsthand, normally covered for conservation reasons. Indeed, within the Siena Cathedral complex, they will be able to admire not only the floor, but also masterpieces by Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, Donatello, Michelangelo, and Bernini.
The international competition for contemporary artists
In the coming months, following the unveiling of the Cathedral Floor, the Archdiocese of Siena – Colle di Val d’Elsa – Montalcino and the Opera della Metropolitana di Siena, in collaboration with Palazzo delle Papesse, intend to launch the first international contemporary art competition, open to artists from around the world. The basic idea is to design a call for entries that will be open to all techniques and disciplines: photography, video, installation, painting, digital art, and performance. Within the exhibition spaces of Palazzo delle Papesse, the selected artists will engage with the historical, artistic, and spiritual heritage of the Cathedral Complex, including through talks and other opportunities for public dialogue. The central theme of the competition will be “The Cathedral Floor of Siena – Wonder of the World.” The promoters will promote the competition with a dedicated announcement at a later date.
The floor: a treasure of art and faith
The floor of Siena Cathedral represents one of the most extraordinary and unique decorative complexes in world art. Created over six centuries—from the 14th to the 19th century—using the techniques of inlay marble and graffito, it brings together the works of over forty artists, including prominent cartoons by Pinturicchio, Domenico Beccafumi, and other masters of the Italian Renaissance. The fifty-six inlays that comprise the cycle develop a complex iconographic program dedicated to the theme of Wisdom and Revelation: from pagan Sibyls to biblical prophets, from allegories of virtues to scenes from the Old Testament, the itinerary leads the visitor on a spiritual and intellectual journey toward divine truth.
The inlay of the Colle della Sapienza and the figure of Crates
Among the most significant scenes on the floor is the inlay depicting Crates of Thebes, a 4th-century BC Cynic philosopher, throwing his riches into the sea. According to tradition, Crates renounced all material possessions to devote himself entirely to the pursuit of wisdom, the Supreme Good, becoming the emblem of liberation from earthly constraints. In the context of the Sienese iconographic program, the figure of Crates embodies the ideal of renouncing worldly goods as a necessary condition for ascending the Hill of Wisdom, a theme that resonates with extraordinary relevance in the Year of Saint Francis, the Poverello who made evangelical poverty the royal road to God.
The complete itinerary can be enjoyed with passes that include, in addition to the uncovered Cathedral Floor, a visit to the entire complex surrounding the Cathedral, one of the most renowned in European art history, as well as the Palazzo delle Papesse, linked to the patronage of Pope Pius II and offering panoramic views of the entire city. Both passes can be booked or purchased at the museums or at the Dear Guests Visitor Center. Among the services offered will also be guided tours and cultural experiences where industry professionals, in various languages, will lead visitors on a discovery of this masterpiece. Of particular note is The Duomo’s Claviger – First in the Cathedral: during the unveiling of the Cathedral Floor, on select dates, it will be possible to take an exclusive tour from 7:30 am to 9 am, following the opening, the switching on of the lights, the organization, and the welcome preparations alongside those who work daily to “reawaken” the Cathedral. With the natural light of the early morning hours, the keyholder will begin his work in the Cathedral, in the Piccolomini Library and in the elevated path of the attics of the Temple with the opening of the Gates of Heaven.
The official catalogue of the Floor is “Un libro di marmo” (A Marble Book) by Marilena Caciorgna, recently published in Italian and English by Sillabe. It analyses not only the historical and artistic aspects, but also examines the themes and numerous inscriptions accompanying the inlays, grasping their deeper meaning: that of a journey of wisdom and faith. The extraordinary unveiling of the Floor, which accompanies the numerous services mentioned here, was promoted by the Opera della Metropolitana and is organized by Opera Laboratori.
Unveiling period:
June 27 – July 31, 2026
August 18 – November 15, 2026
Info and reservations:
Sito web
E-mail: booking@operalaboratori.com
Telephone: +39 0577 286300
