The Main Altar: A Renaissance Masterpiece Between Art and Faith
Shiny marble, vibrant bronzes, centuries-old history. The Main Altar of the Siena Cathedral reveals itself to the city. Designed by Baldassarre Peruzzi between 1530 and 1541, the altar originally housed the Maestà by Duccio di Buoninsegna and, in the following decades, was enriched with bronze sculptures by Francesco di Giorgio Martini and Giovanni di Stefano, creating a perfect dialogue between architecture, sculpture, and theology.
From the Sixteenth Century to Today: The Main Altar, a Masterpiece in Transformation
Originally, the Maestà was flanked by wooden angels now lost, witnesses of a bygone era. In 1488, Francesco di Giorgio Martini and Giovanni di Stefano created the first bronze candle holders, giving new life to the composition. Then, in 1506, the ciborium by Vecchietta replaced the Maestà, placing the Eucharist and the miracle of transubstantiation at the center. Peruzzi conceived a marble podium that harmoniously united the ciborium, the side bronzes, and the little spirits added later, creating a perfect balance between the sacred and Renaissance art, where each element dialogues with the other in a timeless harmony.
Ciborium by Vecchietta: The Soul of the Altar
The Ciborium holds the host and celebrates Redemption: the Risen Christ pours blood into the chalice held by angels, while little spirits, musicians, and scrolls decorate the base with energy and vitality. The structure recalls Brunelleschi with its scale dome and Corinthian columns, while the figures evoke the expressive power of Donatello. Every detail is a small masterpiece of sacred art and Renaissance precision.
The Altar That Became an Object of Study
The Altar with Three Superimposed Urns, completed in 1541, became a replicated example in Siena and Cortona. Documents confirm the commitment, the care of the polychrome marbles, and the biblical inscriptions (“Hic est panis vivus…”) that emphasize the Eucharistic value and the timeless beauty of the structure.
Let yourself be amazed by the Main Altar of the Siena Cathedral, where art, history, and devotion meet. Admire the bronzes, the ciborium, and the Renaissance details that make the Cathedral a place of unforgettable emotions.
