Detail of the main façade of the Duomo in Siena. Built in two stages and combining elements of French Gothic, Tuscan Romanesque, and Classical architecture, the west façade is a beautiful example of Sienese workmanship. Works began around 1284 and ended around 1370… [1280×850] [OC]

…IIRC Siena and Florence were rivals of similar power during the 1200s (probably from earlier) and first half of the 1300s. When the Black Death devastated Europe from 1348 on, it hit harder in Siena, Florence recovered faster, or both, but the thing is Florence took the chance and, helped by the king of Spain, invaded Siena.

Florence would never permit Siena to grow strong again. Maybe because of that, Siena still preserves its medieval structure and atmosphere, which makes her so beautiful. Florence would grow to be the heart of Renaissance and Siena, just 30 miles away, would remain Medieval…

I posted the sister picture of this one [here ](https://www.reddit.com/r/ArtefactPorn/comments/128h5re/detail_of_the_main_fa%C3%A7ade_of_the_duomo_in_siena/?sort=old)a while ago.