Unlike construction projects today, undertaking such an enormous architectural feet during the 13th and 14th century left workers and architects susceptible to weather. As a result, construction projects took decades to fully complete. Construction of the Cathedral of Siena began in 1215, and lasted until 1216. The original architect was Nicole Piscano, who designed the cathedral in the Gothic style of architecture. His son, Giovanni Di Agostino, worked on the lower facade of the building in 1285, a picture of which is featured bellow. By 1348 the Black death wiped out 4/5 of the population of Siena, rendering the project unfinished.
The upper facade was completed in the 1700's, and a golden mosaic was tacked onto the upper facade, and is featured below. The facade featured the coronation of the virgin Mary, an important religious icon to the Sienese.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/9427/Agostino-Di-Giovanni
http://www.sacred-destinations.com/italy/siena-duomo
Nicolas Pisano was the architect, and his son Giovanni.
ReplyDeleteThis is an interesting topic, but I believe in the beginning you have a typo. You state that the churches and cathedrals took decades to complete, yet the first dates you mention claim construction lasted from 1215 to 1216. I think you meant to put another date for the end, considering later you mention construction continuing until the arrival of the plague in 1348.
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