Pinacoteca nazionale di Siena

About the museum

The Pinacoteca Nazionale di Siena holds the most complete collection of Sienese gold-ground paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries. The first nucleus of works was assembled at the end of the 18th century thanks to the enthusiasm of local scholars, notably the abbots Ciaccheri and De Angelis, who wanted to save the artistic heritage from dispersal; in the 19th century the collection grew through important donations. Since its opening in 1932 the museum has been housed in the Buonsignori and Brigidi palaces, around a Renaissance courtyard with a portico, where a Roman sarcophagus and an Etruscan urn can be admired.

A chronological route guides the visitor through the history of Sienese painting. The second floor is devoted to the masterpieces of Duccio, Simone Martini, Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti, to the 15th-century works of Giovanni di Paolo and Sano di Pietro, and to artists closer to the Renaissance, such as Sassetta, Vecchietta, Matteo di Giovanni and Francesco di Giorgio Martini. On the first floor the evolution towards Mannerism is documented with Domenico Beccafumi, widely represented, Sodoma, Riccio, Marco Pino and Brescianino; the route ends with the section on 17th-century Sienese painting.

The Pinacoteca is part of the Musei Nazionali di Siena, an institution of the Ministry of Culture with eight seats. Since 26 January 2026 it has been closed to the public for the start of the most intensive phase of the works financed by the PNRR, aimed at energy efficiency and removing architectural barriers, after a first intervention on the second floor that began on 21 August. In the meantime, the other seats of the Musei Nazionali can be visited, including Palazzo Chigi Piccolomini alla Postierla.

Highlights

• Masterpieces by Duccio and Simone Martini and works by the Lorenzetti brothers
• The largest collection of Sienese gold-ground paintings from the 14th and 15th centuries
• Giovanni di Paolo, Sano di Pietro, Sassetta and Vecchietta
• Domenico Beccafumi and the Sienese Mannerists
• Renaissance courtyard in the Buonsignori and Brigidi palaces

Permanent exhibition

• Percorso permanente della pittura senese (al momento chiuso) – Chronological route from the 13th to the 17th century with Duccio, Simone Martini, the Lorenzetti, Giovanni di Paolo, Sassetta and Beccafumi; the museum is closed for works.

Founded

1932

Operated by

Musei Nazionali di Siena (Ministero della Cultura)

Admission & discounts

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: no information
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• 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

Before the closure there was a lift serving the various floors and stairlifts on the first and second floors; the ongoing works aim to remove architectural barriers.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops

The museum offers reduced tickets for families and initiatives for children and young people, such as activities with comics and board games.

Getting there & parking

The Pinacoteca is located in the historic centre, a 3-minute walk from Piazza Duomo and 5 from Piazza del Campo. Arriving from the north, the Siena nord and Siena ovest exits are recommended; from the south, the Siena sud exit. From the railway station it is about 2 km on foot.

Amenities & dining

• Coat check
• Lockers

Free lockers in the room next to the entrance (before the closure). A dog-sitting service in partnership with Bauadvisor.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit