Basilica of San Domenico, Siena

About this place

The Basilica of San Domenico, also known as Basilica Cateriniana, is a basilica church in Siena, Tuscany, Italy, one of the most important in the city. The basilica is an example of Cistercian Gothic style. The church was begun in 1226–1265, on the hill of Camporegio which the Dominicans had received as a gift from the Malavolti family. It was enlarged in the 14th century resulting in the Gothic appearance it has now. However, aspects of the Gothic structure were subsequently destroyed by fires in 1443, 1456 and 1531, and further damage later resulted from military occupation. The Baroque style also came to the basilica when the altars were rebuilt in the 17th and 18th centuries. As you explore, compare the building itself with its decoration and later additions. Differences in materials, forms and imagery can reveal successive periods of patronage, making the visit a way to understand how religious places evolved over time.