Siena Guide Italy

Churches and Museums

Churches and Museums

• The Duomo
  The Duomo of Siena, which was built in the 12th and 13th centuries, is one of the prettiest churches in Gothic style in Italy. The imposing façades contain treasures such as the large inlaid floor, which holds holy scenes created by several artists of the time, including Pinturicchio. One of the altars has some statues by Michelangelo, while the chapels house some works by Bernini, Donatello and Guido da Siena. The Libreria Piccolomini painted with frescoes by Pinturicchio, and which contains ancient illuminated codes, is a sight not to be missed.
  
• Baptistry of St John (Battistero di San Giovanni)
  The Battistero di San Giovanni is in Piazza San Giovanni, near to the Duomo. It dates back to the first half of the 14th century. The interior has a nave and two aisles, with walls that are full of frescoes by Vecchietta and with a baptism font in the center that is made from golden panels that show the life of John the Baptist.
  
• The Church of Sant’Agostino
  The construction of the Church of Sant’Agostino dates back to 1258. Among the many pieces inside, there are two important works of art: the famous “Crocefissione” by Perugino and “La Maestà” by Lorenzetti.
  
• Siena Civic Museum
  The Siena Civic Museum is inside the Municipal Building, a wonderful example of Gothic architecture. It houses several masterpieces by Siena and Italian artists: panels, canvases and frescoes that show the evolution of art from the 14th to the 18th centuries.
  
• National Picture Gallery
  The National Picture Gallery is inside Palazzo Buonsignori. It houses a valuable collection of masterpieces of Siena art , painted between the 13th and 17th centuries, including the “Madonna con Bambino” by Simone Martini and “la Piccola Maestà” by Ambrogio Lorenzetti.
  
• Museum of Metropolitan Work
  The Museum of Metropolitan Work is inside a building that dates back to the 14th century. It should originally have been a new cathedral for the city, but was never completed. Inside there are works of art from the Duomo including the famous sculpture “della Maestà” made by Duccio di Buoninsegna.
  

Go to directories of the Web Sites

• Art & Culture in Siena

Go to the itinerary:

• An intense weekend