Museo della Contrada della Selva
Museum of the Siena contrada della Selva in the crypt of the oratory of San Sebastiano in Vallepiatta: palii, costumes, mementos and a frescoed church.
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About the museum
The museum of the Contrada della Selva is housed in the crypt of the oratory of San Sebastiano in Vallepiatta, a building erected at the end of the 15th century by the Arte dei Tessitori (weavers' guild) and passed to the contrada in 1810. It holds the civic, religious and Palio-related collections of the contrada.
The palii won over the centuries, alongside more recent ones, are displayed in rooms with large exedrae, painted on the back by Ezio Pollai and Fabio Centi with the symbols and spirit of the Selva. Among the pieces are drappelloni painted by Mino Maccari (August 1970) and Ugo Altardi (August 1974). Display cases contain the most important mementos, while paintings and prints about the Selva's parade company (comparsa) and historic silk flags hang on the walls. The museum also houses the old costumes worn by the comparsa in the historical processions.
The contrada's church is part of the itinerary. It is frescoed by Sienese artists of the 16th and 17th centuries and holds the terracotta high relief of the Madonna della Selva, attributed to Francesco di Giorgio; two panels of the Madonna and Child with saints by Benvenuto di Giovanni and by a follower of Guidoccio Cozzarelli; a Crucifixion by Rutilio Manetti; and frescoes with sibyls, saints and angels by Raffaello Vanni.
Highlights
- Palii won, including those painted by Mino Maccari (1970) and Ugo Altardi (1974)
- Exedrae painted by Ezio Pollai and Fabio Centi
- Old costumes of the parade company and historic silk flags
- High relief of the Madonna della Selva attributed to Francesco di Giorgio
- Church with frescoes by Raffaello Vanni and a Crucifixion by Rutilio Manetti
- Operated by
- Contrada della Selva
Admission & discounts
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Accessibility
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Kids & families
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Getting there & parking
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Amenities & dining
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Events & venue rental
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Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Information and booking of visits: e-mail economatocontradadellaselva@gmail.com. |
