Siena, a decorated history
In the main square, Piazza del Campo, we find the Town Hall, the biggest Gothic palace in Italy. The building houses the civic museum, where you can enjoy the world-famous frescoes of the Buon Governo, depicted in the 1300’s by Ambrogio Lorenzetti for the local Government, and learn about the technique used to paint them.
You can also admire a masterpiece of the medieval sienese painting, the Maestà by Simone Martini, with the Madonna and Child Enthroned, surrounded by Saints. This represents one of the main examples of how much the people from Siena were devotee of the Virgin Mary.
Other interesting frescoes, describing episodes of the everyday life in a hospital of the 1400's, can be seen in the Santa Maria della Scala former hospital, placed in front of the Cathedral.
(Entrance fee to the Civic Museum and Santa Maria della Scala Museum: 11 euros per person)
Do you know that?
The Santa Maria della Scala hospital is a big complex holding several museums. The archaeological section is set up in its underground rooms and tunnels, used during world war II as air-raid shelters.
'Fonte Gaia'
Town Hall
Town Hall courtyard
Ambrogio Lorenzetti: 'Buon Governo'
Simone Martini: Majesty
'Santa Maria della Scala'
back to City tours
On the 9th of june 2011 we celebrated the 700th anniversary of the "Maestà" by Duccio di Buoninsegna.
A copy of the famous altarpiece was transported from Duccio's workshop (now a pastry-shop)
to the main altar of the Cathedral, just like on the 9th June 1311.
watch this video on youtube.com
