Museo della Contrada di Valdimontone

About the museum

The idea for the museum arose in the early 1970s, when the growing collections of sacred furnishings, memorabilia and costumes of the Contrada di Valdimontone made new spaces necessary. In 1974 the contrada entrusted the project to the architect Giovanni Michelucci, who worked with Bruno Sacchi. Works began in 1978 after the purchase of the land and were financed by contributions from the contrada's protectors, self-financing and the prize money from the Palio banners won in 1974, 1977, 1982, 1986 and 1990. The museum was inaugurated on 22 June 1997, after Michelucci's death, and is regarded as a significant example of contemporary architecture in Siena.

The site is in two parts. The Oratorio di San Leonardo, a 12th-century building altered many times (its present appearance dates from the neoclassical rebuilding of 1822), houses the costumes and other objects of the contrada. The new volumes built into an embankment, also designed by Michelucci, house the Palio banners won, including works by Salvatore Fiume, Luca Alinari and Aldo Piantini.

Next to the museum stands the Oratorio della Santissima Trinità, dating from the early 16th century, with rich Mannerist and Baroque decoration: groin vaults and a triumphal arch painted by Ventura Salimbeni, frescoes by Raffaello Vanni and Giuseppe Nicola Nasini, a crucifix by Prospero Antichi and an altarpiece by Alessandro Casolani.

Highlights

• Building designed by Giovanni Michelucci and inaugurated in 1997
• Palio banners won by the contrada, with works by Salvatore Fiume, Luca Alinari and Aldo Piantini
• Costumes of the historical procession (1884–1981) in the Oratorio di San Leonardo
• Oratorio della Santissima Trinità with paintings by Salimbeni, Vanni and Casolani

Founded

1997

Operated by

Contrada di Valdimontone

Visitors per year

approx. 420

Admission & discounts

Admission is free.

Free admission, with voluntary donation.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator: no information
• 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

The Tuscany Region listing reports the absence of architectural barriers and the presence of toilets also for people with disabilities.

Kids & families

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Getting there & parking

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Amenities & dining

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

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