Detailed Guide to the Opening Hours of the Siena Cathedral
The Siena Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta, is a majestic Romanesque church in the historic center of Siena, Italy. The cathedral is surrounded by adjoining buildings of great interest namely the Museum, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Piccolomini Library, and many more. Read on to know when these avenues open their doors and even mass timings.
What are Siena Cathedral Opening Hours?
The cathedral is open every day. However, holidays like Christmas, the Day of Palio, and other religious celebrations may have special opening hours that can be checked on the official site.
- 1 April to 31 October: 10 AM – 7 PM
On Sundays and public holidays: 1:30 AM– 6 PM - 1 November to 31 March: 10:30 AM – 5:30 PM
On Sundays and public holidays: 1:30 AM– 5:3o PM - 26 December to 6 January: 10:30 AM – 6 PM
On Sundays and public holidays: 1:30 AM– 5:30 PM
Last Admission: The last entry to the cathedral is 30 minutes before closing time.
Closed: The Siena Cathedral is open throughout the year.
The Picocolomini Library, the Baptistery of San Giovanni, the Crypt, the facade of the New Duomo, and even the Gate of Heaven tour share the same opening and closing hours in the year.
- 1 April to 31 October: 10 AM – 7 PM
On Sundays and public holidays: 1.30 PM – 6 PM - 1 November to 31 March: 10.30 AM – 5.30 PM
On Sundays and public holidays: 1.30 PM – 5.30 PM - 26 December to 6 January: 10.30 AM – 6.00 PM
On Sundays and public holidays: 1.30 PM – 5.30 PM
Last Admission: The last entry to the cathedral is 30 minutes before closing time.
The museum follows the same timings as the cathedral on public holidays and Sundays.
- 1 April to 31 October: 9.30 AM – 7.30 PM
- 1 November to 31 March: 10.30 AM – 5.30 PM
- 26 December to 6 January: 10.30 AM – 6 PM
Last Admission: The last entry is half an hour before the museum closing time.
1 April to 31 October: 1.30 PM – 7 PM
Last Admission: The last entry is 30 minutes before closing time.
The Historical Archive is open from Monday to Thursday between 9 AM and 1 PM and 1:30 PM to 4:30 PM
The Carli library is open to the public on Mondays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 AM to 1:30 PM and on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9 AM to 1 PM.
The Photo Library can be accessed only by consultation and appointment.
Mass in the Siena Cathedral takes in the Chapel of the Vow or the Capella del Voto located inside the church. When the marble floor of the cathedral is fully unveiled, mass is held in the church of the Santissima Annunziata.
General Timings:
Weekdays: 9:30 AM
Holidays and days before holidays: 8 AM, 11 AM, 12:15 PM, and 6 PM (6:30 PM in Summer)
When is the marble floor of the Siena Cathedral unveiled?
The marble floor of the Siena Cathedral which contains 56 stunning panels created by Sienese artists is a defining feature of the 13th-century church. However, for most of the year, most of the floor of the cathedral is covered by a cloth in order to protect panels from staining or being scratched.
The good news is that for a period of time, the floor is unveiled for the public to see. For the year 2023, the floor will be unveiled from 27 June to 31 July and from 18 August to 17 October.
What is the Best Time to Visit the Siena Cathedral?
Peak Season vs Low Season
The peak tourist season in Siena is from April to October. This is when the city sees the most number of visitors. The added beauty and weather of the summer seasons make it a joyous time to visit the city. The Siena Cathedral, on the other hand, is usually very crowded around this time, making it difficult to view the splendid interiors with ease and capture good photographs.
In the low season, post-October, the crowds diminish and the cathedral is relatively free of thronging crowds. However, the weather tends to become nippy and additional layering is required. That being said, visiting from August to October may provide the best experience as this is the time when the peak season is ending and visitors even get to enjoy the unveiled marble panels of the floor.
The Weekend vs Weekdays
The weekends are best avoided due to the surge of visitors the cathedral experiences around that time. You will also have limited time to view the cathedral during these times due to the late opening hours on Sundays and public holidays.
The best time to visit would be on a weekday, preferably in the morning after mass, when the congregation disperses and the cathedral experiences quiet for a few hours. The late afternoons are also preferable for a quiet and solemn experience of the church as visitors have usually broken for lunch around this time.
How Long Does It Take To Visit the Siena Cathedral?
The Siena Cathedral is an extensive structure with an extremely detailed facade and an exquisitely decorated interior. Moreover, the treasured works of art including frescos, stone altars, sculptures, and paintings require careful attention in order to appreciate the richness of this cultural landmark. You may also opt to go on a Gate of Heaven tour or see the other buildings in the Cathedral complex such as the museum, the baptistery, and the oratory. Hence, it is recommended to spend a minimum of an hour at the Siena Cathedral.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Seina Cathedral Opening Hours
The Siena Cathedral opening hours differ based on the time of year but can be anywhere between 10 AM and 7 PM. Special timings apply on public holidays, Sundays, and religious celebrations.
Yes, the Siena Cathedral is open every day. However, special timings may apply on certain religious festivals.
Yes, the Siena Cathedral remains open on most public holidays but for shorter durations.
To admire the architecture of the facade and interiors and have a good look at the artworks inside the cathedral, it is recommended that you spend at least an hour at the Siena Cathedral.
The best time to visit the Siena Cathedral is between August and October. Around this time, the peak season is ending and crowds diminish. The panels of the marble floor are also unveiled during this time.
A. Yes, the Duomo Milan is open on public holidays and the cathedral is open for worship every day.
You may visit the cathedral on a public holiday. However, the cathedral will be more crowded than usual, and you also have limited time to view the cathedral as opening and closing hours are shorter on holidays.
The opening and closing timings of the Siena Cathedral are shorter on Sundays and public holidays. Although it depends on the time of year, the timings are usually between 1:30 PM in the afternoon to 6 PM in the evening.