Italy

San Gimignano

The Basilica of the Assumption of Mary The Duomo




 

The Basilica of the Assumption of Mary known as The Duomo in San Gimignano is located in the Piazza Duomo in the centre of the city.  It is one of the most outstanding examples of Romanesque architecture in Tuscany. Built on the Via Francigena, a pilgrimage route to Rome, it was therefore an important religious site.

Built in the early 12th century on the site of a former 10th century church, it was consecrated on the 21 November 1148 by Pope Eugenius III. Although documentation indicates that the façade was erected in 1239.

Significant alterations have been undertaken on the structure over the years.  The cross vaults of the nave were built in the 14th century at the same time as the ogival windows were created, windows that can only be seen from the outside as they were later sealed off inside to enable the creation of the frescos on the internal walls.

In 1468 the building underwent significant modifications when the church and sanctuary were lengthened. The Chapels of Santa Fina and of the Conception were also constructed while the High Altar was moved and raised, and the choir was extended, and the current sacristy was constructed.

The façade is simple in appearance and is reached from the square by a wide staircase. There is no door leading to the central area of the church, it has instead, a door on each side of the stairway which leads into each of the aisles.  In the middle of the façade a plaque records that Pope Eugenius III (1145-53) consecrated the church on November 21, 1148.
 

The church is in the shape of a Latin cross, with the structure having three naves supported by Romanesque stone columns supporting seven semi-circular arches. The arches being decorated with red, white and gold.  
 

The ceiling is a striking feature of its Romanesque architecture. It is adorned with blue cross vaults, which contrast beautifully with the striped motif decorating the intrados that divide the naves. Constructed in the 14th century they are supported by Tuscan stone columns which support the semi-circular arches. The ceiling’s blue tones and striped patterns reflect the medieval artistic style characteristic of Tuscan churches. 
 

Looking back towards the entrance wall, near the door are two wooden statues, the Angel Gabriel and the Virgin Mary, which date from 1421: they depict the Annunciation. The walls of the Basilica are completely decorated with frescoes. 
 

The left aisle was painted in the 14th century by Bartolo di Fredi (1330-1410) and show scenes from the Old Testament. Many of these were damaged later when inappropriate restoration was carried out.  
 

Also, in the left aisle is the 16th century organ with its pietra serna balcony. 

Further down is the Chapel of the Conception. Built as part of a major renovations to the church in the 1460/70’s which included lengthening the church and sanctuary, moving and raising the High Altar, and constructing both the Chapel of Santa Fina and the Chapel of the Conception. This follows a Renaissance architectural style, complementing the basilica’s Romanesque foundation. This chapel is also known as the Virgin Mary Shrine.
 

The right aisle contains scenes from the New Testament by Barna da Siena.  He is believed to have died in the Basilica when he fell from scaffolding while working on the frescos.  The work was finished by his nephew and pupil.  Some parts of these frescoes were damaged by dampness and were poorly restored.

The High Altar, made by the sculptor Benedetto da Maiano in 1475, contains a large marble ciborium (A chalice-like vessel used to contain the Blessed Sacrament) with a statue of an angel either side in a kneeling position praying. Behind the altar is a large wooden crucifix dating from 1754. 
 

In front of the main altar in a glass case, is the figure of Santa Fina. Her chapel is located in the side aisle near the high altar, making it a prominent feature within the basilica.

Around the sides are a number of chapels.  Side altars in the transepts, were rebuilt in the Counter-Reformation period in the 16th – 17th century.
 

The altar of the Blessed Sacrament is located at the end of the right transept and contains the painting of “The Supper at Emmaus” by Caravaggio, completed in 1601. It depicts the moment when the resurrected Jesus reveals himself to two of his disciples in Emmaus. 
 

The Chapel of Santa Fina was built to hold the relics of Saint Fina, a revered local figure. Her veneration grew following her death in 1253, leading to the construction of an altar in 1325 and the chapel itself in 1457. Fina was a young girl from San Gimignano who lived in the 13th century and was known for her devotion and suffering. Her relics are housed in the chapel, which is of most famous chapels in the basilica. It was constructed to honour the saint when the city of San Gimignano was at the height of its splendour.  
 

The side walls of the chapel are adorned with two frescoes painted in 1477 and 1478 by the Florentine painter Domenico Ghirlandaio . These depict the Announcement of Death to Saint Fina and her funeral. The painting "The Funeral of Santa Fina" was created between 1473 and 1475. Ghirlandaio was a Florentine painter known for his detailed and expressive frescoes, and this particular work captures the solemnity and reverence surrounding Santa Fina’s funeral. His ability to depict human emotion and intricate architectural settings made him one of the most celebrated artists of the Italian Renaissance.
 

A number of other chapels around the sides of the building including one dedicated to St. Geminianus, the patron saint of San Gimignano, this was consecrated in 1148 and his relics are housed within the chapel.

During World War II, the Basilica was badly damaged, and it wasn’t until 1951 that restoration took place.


The Basilica of the Assumption of Mary in San Gimignano is part of the Historic Centre of San Gimignano, which was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990