Santa Maria dei Servi (Siena)
The Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi (also known as San Clement) is a Catholic church in Siena, central Italy.
[edit] History
The church is built on the site of the former San Clement, which was acquired by the Servite Order in 1234 and annexed to a new convent. The new church was consecrated only in 1533. The 15th century-style façade, however, was never finished, and the 13th century bell tower, originally in Romanesque style, was deeply modified in the following centuries (the last time in 1926).
[edit] Description
The façade, in brickwork, has a rose window and two portals. The church, on the Latin cross plan, has a nave and two aisles in Renaissance style, divided by columns characterized by outstanding carved capitals. The transept and the apse are in Gothic style.
Works of art in the interior include:
- the so-called Madonna del Bordone, the only signed work by Coppo di Marcovaldo. He painted after having been taken prisoner by the Sienese in the Battle of Montaperti
- Nativity of Mary by Rutilio Manetti (1625)
- Massacre of the Innocents by Matteo di Giovanni (1491)
- a large painted cross, attributed to Niccolò di Segna
- Adoration of the Shepherds by Taddeo di Bartolo (1404)
- Madonna di Belverde, by Jacopo di Mino del Pellicciaio and Taddeo di Bartolo (late 14th century)
- Massacre of the Innocents, attributed to Pietro Lorenzetti and other
- the main altarpiece with the Incoronation of the Virgin and Saints by Bernardino Fungai
- frescoes with Stories of Sts. John the Baptist and the Evangelist, by Niccolò di Segna
- Madonna della Misericordia (or Madonna del Manto), by Giovanni di Paolo (1431)
- Annunciation, by Francesco Vanni
Most of the side chapels have been stylistically renovated in the early 20th century.
[edit] External links
- Page at travelitalia.it (Italian)
