Museo della Contrada Sovrana dell'Istrice
Museum of the Siena contrada dell'Istrice on Via Camollia and at Palazzo Nerli-Pieri: palii from 1766, historic costumes, Sienese majolica and a rare 13th-century fresco.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
The museum of the Contrada Sovrana dell'Istrice occupies the historic seat, set up in part of the ancient Palazzo dei Bellanti, later Chigi, beside the church of the Santi Vincenzo e Anastasio on Via Camollia. The church, consecrated in 1144, has been used by the contrada since 1788. From the entrance one reaches the Sala delle Vittorie, where the general assemblies are held and where the most recent drappelloni are displayed; on the wall is the large fresco of the crowned porcupine by Arturo Viligiardi (1932).
The nearby rooms hold the oldest palii, including the one of 2 July 1766, the oldest surviving; a humeral veil from the late 16th century; Sienese coins and medals; weapons from the 16th to the 19th century; and liturgical furnishings. A fresco of Christ blessing from the early 13th century stands out, considered the oldest surviving in Siena, next to a panel attributed to Andrea di Niccolò and an enthroned Madonna by Sano di Pietro. The route also includes the Romanesque apse and a cistern from which medieval and Renaissance ceramics come.
The new spaces of Palazzo Nerli-Pieri, opposite the historic seat, house further 20th-century drappelloni, paintings from the 17th century to today, sculptures, drums and flags, the costumes from the first half of the 19th century to 1980, saddles and weapons, Sienese majolica, and the tufa grottoes uncovered during the work. Two display cases hold horses and jockeys carved in wood, recalling the Palio won by the Istrice in 1905.
Highlights
- Drappellone of 2 July 1766, the oldest surviving
- Fresco of Christ blessing from the early 13th century
- Sala delle Vittorie with the fresco by Arturo Viligiardi (1932)
- Costumes from 1800 to 1980 and Sienese majolica at Palazzo Nerli-Pieri
- Tufa grottoes uncovered during the restoration of the palace
- Church of the Santi Vincenzo e Anastasio with a panel by Sano di Pietro
- Operated by
- Contrada Sovrana dell'Istrice
Admission & discounts
Admission is free.
Free admission according to the Musei Online listing.
Accessibility
The museum hasn’t published any information on this.
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.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Booking of museum visits: visite.museo@istrice.org. A virtual tour of the museum is also available on the website. |
