Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex, Siena

The Santa Maria della Scala museum complex, in Siena

The Santa Maria della Scala museum complex is one of the largest cultural poles of Tuscany, at the foot of the cathedral. The Siena audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this immense building, one of the oldest hospitals of Europe, today an exceptional museum.

The former hospital become a great museum

At the foot of the cathedral extends one of the largest cultural poles of Tuscany: the Santa Maria della Scala museum complex. This immense building, which stretches over nearly forty thousand square metres, was first one of the oldest hospitals of Europe, mentioned since the ninth century and developed from the twelfth. For centuries, it welcomed and cared for the pilgrims on their way to Rome, the sick, the poor and the abandoned children, playing a considerable social and charitable role. Over time, the hospital was enriched with works of art and decorated halls, including the famous Pellegrinaio, the former pilgrims' hall, adorned with remarkable frescoes illustrating the life of the institution. Reconverted, the vast complex today shelters a museum presenting varied collections, archaeological spaces and exhibitions, in a labyrinth of halls, chapels and underground passages. A witness of the history, the charity and the art of Siena, Santa Maria della Scala is a major cultural stop of the town.

What to see

Here you discover the immense complex of nearly forty thousand square metres at the foot of the cathedral, one of the oldest hospitals of Europe that welcomed pilgrims, the sick and abandoned children, with its famous Pellegrinaio adorned with frescoes, today a museum with varied collections, archaeological spaces and underground passages. Santa Maria della Scala is a major cultural pole of Siena. It is a stop to be discovered, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Santa Maria della Scala complex lies at the foot of the cathedral, in the heart of Siena, reachable on foot. The visit follows its own hours and conditions, which vary with the season. It is best to check the arrangements before coming.

What was Santa Maria della Scala in Siena?

One of the oldest hospitals of Europe, mentioned since the ninth century, which welcomed and cared for centuries for the pilgrims, the sick, the poor and the abandoned children; this vast building of nearly forty thousand square metres is today a great museum.