“Like stars on earth”, yesterday one of the many treasures kept in the Cathedral was revealed again, what in recent years has become a phenomenon of extraordinary appeal. The floor of the Duomo will be fully visible until July 31, then the inevitable pause that will coincide with the August Palio, when it would be impossible to protect this masterpiece. Then from 18 August to 18 October the floor will be uncovered again.
“We are at the beginning of a real restart of the country – explains the new rector of the Opera del Duomo, Giovanni Minnucci -, despite the known limitations due to the pandemic and the very serious war crisis affecting our continent. Despite this, the signs they are excellent: the booking numbers tell us that we are back to those of two years ago. In my opinion there is also a great desire for spirituality and to return to social life “.
Yesterday many took the opportunity to visit the extraordinary path that winds through the marbles of the Cathedral, taking advantage of an opportunity that is added to the other masterpieces, from the pulpit by Nicola Pisano to the Piccolomini Library frescoed by Pinturicchio, just to mention two unmissable wonders. In 2019 there were 700 thousand visitors to the Duomo during the uncovering of the floor from August to October. Now, after the two years of the pandemic, the return to large numbers, with the initiative that kicks off practically in parallel with the Palio of the restart.
“The link between the city and its Cathedral is centuries-old, obviously including the Palio dell’Assunta – explains Minnucci -. Return to live our centuries-old traditions, inserting them into its historical, social and spiritual fabric that has always characterized the history of the city : this, I believe, could be the basis for the restart, with an eye to the present and the future with hope “.
As usual, the uncovering was accompanied by an intense communication campaign also on the main national media. “The task we have is to communicate correctly – observes Minnucci -, illustrating the beauties that our ancestors left us, so that everyone can enjoy them, always bearing in mind that those who come to visit us enter almost always sacred and delicate places, which require care continues, great attention and respect. The new top of the Opera del Duomo is also working to address “some problems in progress, the board is committed to resolving them. At the same time, however, we are also setting up some cultural and scientific initiatives for the second half of the year and for 2023. In any case, we have quite a few restorations to work on. The theme, however, is on the agenda for the future. “By booking a visit to the Cathedral floor, it will be possible to have the free audio guide of the Duomo complex on your smartphone or request a guided tour. With the QR Code on All the information material will also be possible to access the Cathedral, avoiding the queues at the ticket office, by going directly to the museum entrances. An important opportunity especially on busy days, when many storm the Duomo-Museo dell’Opera complex. .
Stars on the ground, light on the floor of the Duomo – Chronicle – lanazione.it