[ Key Attractions ] [ Further Distractions ]
Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia (Public Palace and Mangia Tower)
The palazzo has been home to the city authorities since the 13th century. Now its finest rooms are open to the public - most famous is the Sale della Pace, with medieval panoramic frescoes by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. The tower can be visited separately and offers superb views over the city.
Piazza del Campo
Tel: (0577) 292 226.
Website: www.comune.siena.it
Il Duomo (The Cathedral)
The 12th-century Duomo (Cathedral) has a stunning, zebra-striped interior and a lavish floor covered in mosaics (protected from view and uncovered only August and September - dates vary annually). It also contains the Piccolomini Library, containing vibrant frescoes by Pinturicchio.
Piazza Duomo
Tel: (0577) 283 048.
Website: www.operaduomo.siena.it
Battistero di San Giovanni (Baptistery)
Situated behind the cathedral, the Baptistery dates back to the 14th century. The walls are covered with brightly coloured frescoes, while the centrepiece is the baptismal font, which is decorated with bronze carvings by artists such as Ghiberti and Donatello.
Piazza San Giovanni
Tel: (0577) 283 048.
Website: www.operaduomo.siena.it
Spedale di Santa Maria della Scala (Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala)
Dating back to the 11th century, this was a pilgrims’ hostel that became the city’s main hospital - treating patients until the 1980s. Now it contains artworks, an archaeological museum and exhibition space. The highlight is a former ward, the Sala del Pellegrinaio, which is covered with 15th-century frescoes of daily life.
Piazza del Duomo
Tel: (0577) 224 811.
Website: www.santamariadellascala.com
Museo dell’Opera del Duomo
This museum contains much of the cathedral’s extensive art collection. There are sculptures, a Byzantine altar piece and gilded paintings by Duccio di Buoninsegna. Spiral steps lead to the Panorama dal Facciatone, a vertiginous lookout point.
Piazza della Quercia (beside the Duomo)
Tel: (0577) 283 048.
Website: www.operaduomo.siena.it
Pinacoteca Nazionale (National Art Gallery)
This art gallery is filled with stunning paintings of the Sienese school which flourished in the 13th century. Richly gilded, they include the tiny Madonna dei Francescani by Duccio.
Via San Pietro 29
Tel: (0577) 281 161.
Website: www.operaduomo.siena.it
Palazzo delle Papesse
Built as a palace in the 15th century, this now houses a centre for changing exhibitions of contemporary art. Works by international, as well as Italian artists are shown.
Via di Citta 126
Tel: (0577) 22071.
Website: www.papesse.org
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Museo delle Tavolette di Biccherna
Housed in a 14th-century palace, the biccherne are the illustrated wooden covers that protected the city’s accounting sheets. They date back to 1257 and contain fascinating scenes of daily life in medieval Siena.
Palazzo Piccolomini
Via Banchi di Sotto 52
Tel: (0577) 247 145.
Website: http://assi.archivi.beniculturali.it/archistato_6_01.htm
Cripta di San Giovanni
This frescoed ‘crypt’ was probably the original pilgrims’ entrance to the cathedral and was only rediscovered in 1999 by workmen. It is just behind the cathedral and contains medieval frescoes and even ancient graffiti.
Piazza della Quercia
Tel: (0577) 283 048.
Website: www.operaduomo.siena.it
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