Santa Maria della Scala

About the museum

The Santa Maria della Scala is the former hospital of Siena, a large complex that occupies the entire slope of the hill opposite the Cathedral, from the top down to the foot. In 1328 the structure was extended with a men's pilgrims' hall, the Pellegrinaio, built by acquiring and demolishing the neighbouring houses to bridge a difference in height of three floors. In the 1440s the walls and vaults of the Pellegrinaio were painted by Domenico di Bartolo, Lorenzo di Pietro known as Vecchietta, and Priamo della Quercia, with scenes celebrating the life and the protagonists of the hospital; in the 16th century a bay and new frescoes were added.

Today the former hospital is a museum complex spread over many levels. On the entrance floor are the Collezione Piccolomini Spannocchi, the Sagrestia Vecchia, the Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata, the Pellegrinaio, the Cappella del Manto and the rooms dedicated to children; on the lower levels visitors can see the Fonte Gaia, the Confraternita di Santa Caterina della Notte, the internal streets and cellars, as far as the Museo Archeologico Nazionale and the route “Siena, racconto della città dalle origini al Medioevo”. The upper levels house the Biblioteca e Fototeca Giuliano Briganti and exhibition rooms.

The complex is run by the Fondazione Antico Ospedale Santa Maria della Scala, founded in 2021 to promote and enhance the site, oversee its adaptation and integrate it into the local, national and international cultural system. The museum offers themed itineraries, exhibitions, family workshops, accessibility routes and a visit app in several languages.

Highlights

• Pellegrinaio with fifteenth-century frescoes by Domenico di Bartolo, Vecchietta and Priamo della Quercia
• Fonte Gaia and underground rooms of the complex
• Museo Archeologico Nazionale on the lower levels
• Collezione Piccolomini Spannocchi and Sagrestia Vecchia
• Museo d'arte per bambini and family routes

Permanent exhibitions

• Pellegrinaio e livello d'ingresso – The Pellegrinaio with its fifteenth-century frescoes, the Collezione Piccolomini Spannocchi, the Sagrestia Vecchia, the Chiesa della Santissima Annunziata and the Cappella del Manto.
• Livelli inferiori: Fonte Gaia e percorso sotterraneo – The rooms on the lower levels, with the Fonte Gaia, the Confraternita di Santa Caterina della Notte and the hospital's ancient internal streets.
• Museo Archeologico Nazionale e racconto di Siena – The archaeological collections of the national museum and the route “Siena, racconto della città dalle origini al Medioevo”, on the lowest levels of the complex.

Founded

1998

Operated by

Fondazione Antico Ospedale Santa Maria della Scala

Director

Chiara Valdambrini

Admission & discounts

With advance booking lower prices apply: €8 standard and €6.50 reduced. Free admission also for residents of the Comune di Siena, journalists and tourist guides. Information and bookings: Monday–Friday 9:00–13:30, tel. +39 0577 292615 and +39 0577 292614, ticket@comune.siena.it.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking: no information
• Service dogs welcome: no information
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

According to the museum, the route is fully accessible. The lift, which runs from the entrance floor to the upper and lower levels, and some passages can only be used with staff assistance. Wheelchairs are available on request, and there are seats with armrests along the route. Accessible toilets on all floors. The accessibility offer includes the routes “Musei e Alzheimer”, “Musei, arte e autismi” and “Museo per tutti”, free by reservation (educazione@santamariadellascala.com, tel. +39 0577 534531).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Kids’ birthday parties

Interactive visits, games and creative workshops for children and families, both scheduled and on request (treasure hunt, the visit “Alla scoperta del Santa Maria”, “Dal quadro alla fiaba”), at €5 per participant. The museum includes the Museo d'arte per bambini in the Sala San Leopoldo. Children's birthday parties can be organised for ages 4 to 11.

Getting there & parking

The museum is located in the historic centre, closed to traffic, opposite the Cathedral: it cannot be reached by car.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Museum shop

Café on the entrance floor, with its own entrance, and a bookshop before the museum route; information desk on the entrance floor.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Rooms for conferences, lectures, meetings, presentations, screenings, private dinners and cocktails: Sala Italo Calvino, Sala Sant'Ansano, Sala San Pio and Cappella del Manto. Availability depends on the museum's programme; enquiries to convegnistica@santamariadellascala.com.

Plan your visit