Visiting the museums in Siena is not just about seeing artifacts. It is actually an opportunity to walk through time, see Siena through past generations’ eyes, and leave with a deeper understanding of this magnificent city. Museums in Siena mostly exhibit collections of 14th and 15th-century Sienese masters when the city was one of the most powerful and rich cities in Italy. Many visitors are surprised when they see so many breathtaking paintings and frescoes from the Renaissance in Siena because people think only Florence is the city of art.
However, the whole Tuscany region is home to the Renaissance, and there were many schools at that time, among which one of the most popular was the Sianese school. You don’t really know this until you have seen some of the masterpieces in its museums. If you only have limited time, choose the first two museums on our list, which exhibit some of the most important works of the painters of the Sienese school.
Opera Duomo Siena (Siena Opera della Metropolitana)
The Opera Duomo Siena isn’t just a museum. It includes many buildings, among which the most important is Siena’s cathedral with the Piccolomini Library (with frescoes by Pinturicchio), then the Baptistery (with works by Donatello and Jacopo della Quercia), the Crypt, the Oratory of Saint Bernardino and last but not least the museum placed in the never finished nave of what was supposed to become Siena’s gigantic new cathedral. You should definitely take proper time here to admire Duccio’s masterpiece called the Maestà.
Don’t forget to charge your smartphone or bring a camera. The facade of the unfinished cathedral makes for a great vantage point where you can take breathtaking photos of Siena. From April to October, you can also book wonderful guided visits to the roof of the cathedral. If you plan to visit all of these attractions, buy the OPA SI pass. It is valid for three days and gives access to all the sights for 17 €. With this pass, you can save 50% of the cost of single admissions and avoid long waiting lines.
Civic Museum of Siena
Piazza del Campo is home to Siena’s stunning town hall, which sports some of the finest works of the Sienese school. You should not miss the Maestà by Simone Martini, Guidoriccio da Fogliano (probably by the same painter), and the marvelous Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti. Furthermore, this museum offers a journey through the history of Siena, showcasing the city’s political and cultural evolution. The Risorgimento Hall, for example, features frescoes depicting episodes from the life of Victor Emmanuel II, the first king of unified Italy.
There is also a 14th-century loggia that offers breathtaking views of the valley behind the palace. Civic Museum of Siena is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (6:00 PM in the winter months). The entrance ticket will cost you 9€ per person (8€ with a reservation), but the better option is a combined ticket for both the museum and Mangia Tower that costs 15€.
Santa Maria della Scala in Siena
Find a bit of everything at the big museum complex right in front of the stairways of Siena’s cathedral. One of Europe’s first hospitals, Santa Maria della Scala, had an open door for pilgrims, orphans, and the poor. The frescoes in one of its main rooms on the ground floor tell the fascinating story of what life was like inside these buildings from the Middle Ages onward.
Part of the museum is dedicated to Roman and Etruscan archaeological finds, and if you travel with kids, don’t miss out on the museum’s hands-on children’s museum on the ground floor. The museum also hosts alternating exhibitions spanning from Duccio to the 21st century. It is open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (up to 5:00 PM from November to March), and the single ticket costs 9€. There is also a combined ticket that includes Civic Museum, Santa Maria della Scala, and Torre del Mangia for 20€.
Pinacoteca Nazionale in Siena
If Opera Duomo Siena and Civic Museum made you fall in love with the paintings of the Sienese school, you should not miss Pinacoteca Nazionale. It is a lovely visit even in high season as the museum is off the major tourist routes, and many jewels of Duccio, Simone Martini, and the Lorenzetti brothers await you here. Besides paintings, the museum also features sculptures and other artworks from the 16th and 17th centuries, including works by Sodoma and Domenico Beccafumi.
Pinacoteca Nazionale is located in the Palazzo Buonsignori and Palazzo Brigidi, palaces which are so beautiful for exploring. It is open every Sunday, Monday, and public holidays from 9:00 AM to 1:30 PM and other days in the week from 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The single ticket will cost you 6 euros, but if you are with kids, get a family ticket for 10€ to save a bit.
Archivio di Stato in Siena
If you have some extra time in Siena, don’t miss out on a free visit to the centrally located state archive located in Palazzo Piccolomini. The collection includes all 105 Biccherne, the account books of the city of Siena (the earliest example dates back to 1258). By tradition, the elaborate covers of the book were painted by the foremost painters of the Sienese school (e.g., Ambrogio Lorenzetti, Sano di Pietro). The exhibition also includes documents regarding people mentioned in Dante’s Divina Commedia, and last but not least, the will of Giovanni Boccaccio.
Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Academia dei Fisiocritici in Siena
Need a break from all the arty stuff? Siena’s Museo dei Fisiocritici is one of our favorite places in town and a great location to time travel a couple of centuries back. It is one of the oldest and most important scientific museums in Tuscany, housed in a former Camaldolese monastery dating back to the 12th century. It’s not the Smithsonian, but the beautifully exhibited collection is an impressive sight (especially the stuffed and mounted animals on the first floor, including a famous ornithology collection).
The museum features extensive collections in four main sections: geological, zoological, anatomical, and botanical. Highlights include the skeleton of a 15-meter fin whale, a collection of minerals and fossils, and anatomical preparations by Paolo Mascagni. This amazing museum is only a short walk from Piazza del Campo but in a totally tourist-free area. However, the best thing about this museum is that it is completely free for all. Therefore, it is the perfect budget-friendly attraction in Siena.
Botanical Garden in Siena
A few steps further down from the Accademia dei Fisiocritici, Siena’s botanical garden is supposed to be haunted by the ghost of Renaissance painter Sodoma, so keep an eye out when admiring the Mediterranean flora. Most beautiful in May when the wild orchids are in flower, but it is always a lovely stop to get away from the crowd and have a rest on a bench in the shade of a palm tree. It is open every day except Sunday and public holidays from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM, and tickets cost 5€ a piece.
Synagogue in Siena
A few steps from Piazza del Campo, Siena’s synagogue is a surprising sight. Richly decorated by the end of the 18th century, the synagogue bears testimony to a beautiful centuries-old Ghetto and to some of the darkest moments in Siena’s history. The synagogue’s interior is a blend of Neoclassical and Rococo styles, featuring elegant decorations, a beautifully adorned Torah Ark, and an Elijah’s Chair from 1860. Worth visiting if you are into art. Tickets are 5€ per person.
Palazzo Chigi Saracini in Siena
For people who wonder how the wealthy Sienese lived after the Renaissance, Palazzo Chigi Saracini is one of Siena’s most famous palaces and was owned by some of the city’s best-known families. Built in the 12th century, this Gothic palace is a stunning example of medieval architecture. Music lovers will want to visit the Chigiana Academy’s collection of historical musical instruments (one of them is a Stradivari). Don’t miss admiring Liszt’s piano and the oldest harpsichord in the world. You should make a reservation to visit this palace, the ticket costs 10 euros, and it is not advisable to bring kids with you.
Palio Museums
Did you fall in love with one of Siena’s contrade or just get infected with the Palio virus in general? Each Contrada has a museum exhibiting anything that is linked to the Palio and documenting the participation and race results of the Contrada over centuries. If something like that interests you, make a reservation in advance. Contact details of all the 17 Contrade can be found here: Palio Museums.
Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina in Siena
This sanctuary is the birthplace and home of Saint Catherine of Siena, one of Italy’s patron saints. Admirers of the most famous woman of the 14th century can find out more about her short but busy life by visiting the house – and now sanctuary – where the saint was born in 1347 (as 23rd of 25 children!). You can also see impressive relics of Saint Catherine at the Basilica of San Domenico. The entrance is free of charge.
Which are the best museums in Siena?
There is no objective answer to that question, but the most visited museums are also the most interesting ones. In Siena, tourists usually visit Santa Maria della Scala and Opera Duomo Siena. We advise you to check out Museo di Storia Naturale dell’Academia dei Fisiocritici, especially if you are visiting Siena with kids. If you are a true art lover, don’t miss Pinacoteca Nazionale, too.
Check out more articles about Siena:
- Things to see in Siena
- Best Pizza in Siena
- What is Palio di Siena?
- The best place to park in Siena
- How long to spend in Siena?
