The town's cathedral, consecrated by Pope Eugenius III himself
in 1148. Every inch of the 12th century Romanesque building is
covered with paintings. Barna da Siena's frescoes of the Life
of Christ (possibly by Lippo Memmi) in the right aisle, painted
c.1335-40, combine the drama of Giotto with the elegance of Simone
Martini. Opposite, Bartolo de Fredi's brilliantly coloured scenes
from the Old Testament, painted thirty years later are in a lighter
vein. On the west wall, above the main door, Benozzo Gozzoli's
St Sebastian resembles a human pin cushion. The Cappella di Santa
Fina off the right aisle, by Giuliano da Maiano, and with an
altar by his nephew Benedetto, has delightful frescoes of the
Life of Santa Fina by Domenico Ghirlandaio. These early works,
dating from 1475, already possess all Ghirlandaio's poetic charm.
The choirboys in the Funeral of Santa Fina are recognisable portraits
of locals; notice the view of San Gimignano in the background.
