Siena's Duomo is one of Italy's best Gothic cathedrals. The duomo is believed to have been started in the ninth century and it still retains some Romanesque features. From 1215 to 1220, the building was enlarged and the Gothic facade and apse were finished in the 14th century. The mosaics and bronze door are more modern.
In the cirular facade window are beautiful panels of stained glass, finished in 1288. They are believed to be the oldest example of stained glass in Italy.
The duomo's black and white Romanesque [i]campanile[/i], or bell tower, was built in the late 13th century. It has an interesting arrangement of windows, becoming larger in the higher parts of the tower.
Opening and closing times for the duomo vary. In July, 2007, it was open until 7:00 in the evening, making it possible to visit when it's not so crowded. You can save money by buying a combination ticket to visit the duomo and 4 other sites, including the interesting crypt below the duomo. Read more in Tips for Visiting Siena in the links below.