Museo di storia naturale dell'Accademia dei Fisiocritici

About the museum

The Accademia dei Fisiocritici, Siena’s academy of sciences, was founded in 1691 on the initiative of Pirro Maria Gabrielli, who brought together university teachers and students to study nature by the experimental method. The natural history museum is the result of more than two centuries of acquisitions and donations and is one of the oldest scientific museums in Tuscany.

It is housed in a former Camaldolese monastery in Piazzetta Silvio Gigli, less than 500 metres from the Duomo and Piazza del Campo. The display recalls the 19th-century layout, with the collections spread over four sections on several floors around the inner courtyard and in a large basement. In the courtyard stands the skeleton, 15 metres long, of a blue whale stranded at Piombino in 1974, now the emblem of the museum.

Animals, anatomical parts, fossils, minerals, archaeological finds, scientific instruments and curiosities are on display. The museum organises guided visits, workshops for schools, summer camps for children and themed birthday parties.

Highlights

• Skeleton of a 15-metre blue whale in the inner courtyard
• 19th-century display cases with animals, fossils and minerals
• Four sections on several floors in a former Camaldolese monastery
• Anatomical and archaeological finds and scientific instruments
• Guided visits, workshops and children’s summer camps

Permanent exhibition

• Il percorso espositivo del Museo di Storia Naturale – Four sections with animals, fossils, minerals, anatomical and archaeological finds and scientific instruments; the whale skeleton is displayed in the courtyard.

Founded

1691

Operated by

Accademia dei Fisiocritici

Admission & discounts

Free admission: On special occasions the admission contribution may not be requested; the museum’s calendar indicates the dates.

Also free for group leaders and tourist guides, and for members of the Academy who are up to date with their subscription. Temporary exhibitions are included in the ticket. Payment in cash or by card and other electronic means. The ticket does not give access to other museums in Siena, and vice versa.

Accessibility

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

The museum is accessible to people with disabilities, except the hypogeum (underground chamber); floors are reached by a goods lift. No wheelchairs are available. Animals are admitted if kept on a leash.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Stroller-friendly
• Baby changing facilities
• Playground / play area: not available
• Kids’ birthday parties

The museum offers guided visits and workshops for families and schools, summer camps for children and young people, birthday parties at the museum, a family kit (€6 extra) and a finds hunt (€10 extra). Pushchairs are admitted; one toilet has a baby-changing table; there is no nursing room.

Getting there & parking

The museum is less than 500 metres from the Duomo and Piazza del Campo.

Amenities & dining

• Café: not available
• Restaurant: not available
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Wi-Fi

Free Wi-Fi. The museum has a bookshop, where bags and jackets can also be left; there is no refreshment point, and eating and drinking inside the museum is prohibited.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit