Siena Trip Guide - Student Handbook

Galleries and Museums

Battistero
(Baptistry) - Piazza San Giovanni. 9.30-20. In the center, Jacopo della Quercia's marble font (1411-30), with bronze reliefs and sculptures by Ghiberti: the Baptism of Christ (facing the entrance) (1424-1427); Donatello's Feast of Herod, Faith and Hope; della Quercia's Annunciation to Zaccharias. € 3

Duomo
Piazza del Duomo. 10.30-20, Sun. 13.30-18. Begun about 1150.

The marble pavement inside was designed in 1517-1547 by Beccafumi; open August 21 - October 10: 10.30-19.30 € 6

On the left altar, in the lower four niches, are early works by Michelangelo.

In the left transept is the bronze St. John the Baptist by Donatello.

Nicola Pisano's pulpit (1265) was done after his famous pulpit in Pisa.

The pillars are decorated by angels by Beccafumi.

Duccio's stained-glass window.

Cappella Chigi on the right - Bernini's late works Mary Magdalen and St. Jerome.

Piccolomini Library
Pinturicchio frescoes, illuminated manuscripts, a 3C Roman sculpture of the Three Graces. € 3

Museo Archeologico Nazionale
Piazza Duomo Tel. 0577-49153. Mon-Sat 9-14, Sundays and holidays 9-13, € 6

Museo Civico - Palazzo Pubblico
Piazza del Campo. 10-19. Simone Martini's Maestà and Guidoriccio da Fogliano, Ambrogio Lorenzetti's Allegory of Good and Bad Government. € 7. Cumulative ticket with Torre del Mangia, € 10

Museo dell'Opera del Duomo
Piazza del Duomo, 8. 9.30-20. The museum is in the remains of a huge cathedral, begun in 1339 and never finished. € 6

Ground floor: original carvings from the cathedral facade, including life-sized figures by Giovanni Pisano (1284-90) in the first workshop of the Cathedral.

1st floor: Sala di Duccio - Duccio's Maestà (1308-11), and on the left wall, predella scenes of the Passion, originally on the reverse side of the painting; right wall, a triptych by Pietro Lorenzetti and a Virgin and Child by Duccio. Follow signs upstairs in the back to the Panorama for a sensational view.

Oratorio di S. Bernardino and Museo Diocesano di Arte Sacra
Piazza S. Francesco. 10.30-13.30, 15-17.30. Beccafumi, Sodoma, Sano di Pietro, Giovanni D'Agostino, Madonna del Latte of A. Lorenzetti. € 3

Palazzo delle Papesse Centro Arte Contemporanea
Via di Cittá 126, Tel. 0577 22071. Tues-Sun 11-19. € 5

Palio - Piazza del Campo
The most exciting horse race in the world is held here on July 2 and August 16, as it has been since the Middle Ages.

Piazza del Campo
One of the most magnificent sights of Italy. Watch the play of light on the stones. The piazza is scallop shaped and divided into nine segments, symbolizing the nine members of government representing trade and banking which ruled Siena in the 13-14C.

Pinacoteca Nazionale
Tues-Sat 8.15-19.15, Sun, Mon 9-13. Tel. 0577 281161. 13-16C Sienese painting - Guido da Siena, Duccio's Madonna of the Franciscans (c. 1295), Simone Martini's Miracles of Beato Agostino Novello, Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti, Lorenzo Monaco, Sassetta, Beccafumi. € 4

Santa Maria della Scala
ex-hospital opposite the Duomo: frescoes, and treasures accumulated over its millenary history. 10.30-18.30, € 6

Torre del Mangia
Piazza del Campo - 10-16. Built in 1338, the 2nd highest tower in Italy. Named after the lazy bell ringer, Mangiaguadagni (eat the profits). 505 steps to the top. € 6.

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