Piazza del Campo has a special charm. People sit in cafeterias and enjoy the beautiful view. The piazza is surrounded by many bars and restaurants. People also sit on the floor, which is something wonderful to me. If you want the best view of Siena and to take wonderful pictures, go to the tower. It is mandatory to buy tickets in advance so that they can give you time to enter the tower. Its only ten euros and free for kids up to 12 years of age.

Very impressive square where you can experience the uniqueness of this beautiful city all at once. The people of Siena quite rightly call this the most beautiful square in the world. It is not only when the Palio takes place that the influence of the Condrati can be seen and felt here, no matter from which side you enter the square, you are constantly accompanied by the history of the Palio and the Condrati. The square is the geographical, social and cultural centre of this city. You can also visit the establishments located here, whether for a meal or just an aperitif.

Amazing place. The square makes a big impression. One of the most beautiful places you can visit in Tuscany

Piazza del Campo was the highlight of our one day visit to Siena. This stunning square was bustling with tourists and steeped in fascinating history, particularly regarding the famous horse race. You can refill your water at the fountain and wander through the charming streets surrounding the square. It's definitely worth a visit for anyone exploring Siena. 🍕

Amazing and beautiful place/piazza in the center of Sienna… only superlatives, nothing more to say! We were here in September 2021, not too crowded and beautiful weather…. Perfect to take some beautiful pictures, although it’s not easy (read almost impossible) to capture the whole place in one picture…

Amazing plaza, it must be incredible during the Palio! On any other day, the plaza is a visual spectacle. The buildings are all unique and the tower is incredible! There are restaurants and shops throughout. The shell shape and angle of the ground is cool! It's a great place to hangout!

The Palio di Siena was truly an amazing experience that should be experienced at once in a lifetime. Tickets must be purchased months in advance and be sure to dress for hot weather and to use sun protection.

Perhaps the largest historic medieval square in Europe. Known for the horse races that take place around the perimeter of the square twice a year for centuries. Lots of restaurants around but I suggest you eat outside the square to pay a lot less.

Stunning central piazza of Sienna. So much fabulous architecture and history as you wander around the square. There are numerous cafes and restaurants that line the outside of the square. There are many historical buildings to explore. A very photographic place to visit. Good to sit with a coffee and watch.

Nice location in the heart of the city. Once you walked up the steep slopes and through the crowds you arrive here. Big open Square with the famous church in the middle. Only tip I have for you here is to do your restaurant research as many of the closeby restaurants here are terrible with very low ratings. Be aware

Most fabulous Piazza in Siena- some general maintenance and repairs at the clock tower while we visited but it didn’t impact the visit overall. Spacious, yet intimate- a perfect highlight of our Siena visit! Highly recommended!

Well if you visit Siena you can't miss Piazza del Campo. Best Piazza in the city. Lots of people and families come and go all day. There are a lot of restaurants around the Piazza to take your drink or eat your food. if you don't want something like that, you can just sit down and enjoy the view. Better after the sun goes down though because it's pretty hot in the summer!

Enchanting, this is my third time to visit this place and i can’t get enough of it’s medieval charm. A must see place to visit when you are in Tuscany, there are plenty of restaurants and bars , you can relax and chill out while being captivated by it’s beauty.

Such a beautiful piazza! We were fortunate to be here during the horse races so the outer ring was packed with dirt for the races. The whole city was alive with the energy of supporting their neighborhood for the races. While there was extreme partisanship for their neighborhood all the people were still very friendly. One woman told me that while they are part of their neighborhood they are all Siena first. If you can visit during this annual event do so such fun.

Piazza del Campo is an amazing square, unique in the world. The scenery, its story, the experience, the yearly horse racing, the surrounding bars and restaurants, it's all contributing to a unique experience not to be missed. Siena has even more to offer and to discover. Enjoy! 👌

What a beautiful place! This was one of our favourite trips out of Florence. We had beautiful weather and a tour guide showed us around the area. We got some great coffee at the cafes around the Piazza and some delicious traditional biscuits. Definitely worth a visit if you can fit it into your trip.

The Piazza del Campo in Siena, Italy, is a magnificent square that stands as the beating heart of the city, brimming with history, culture, and architectural splendor. Its unique shell-shaped design draws visitors into its embrace, creating a sense of unity and community. At the center of the piazza lies the iconic Fonte Gaia, a beautifully sculpted fountain adorned with intricate reliefs, providing a serene focal point amidst the bustling activity of the square. Surrounding the fountain, the red-brick pavement radiates with warmth, inviting visitors to stroll along its cobbled paths and soak in the vibrant atmosphere. The piazza's most notable feature is the Palazzo Pubblico, with its soaring Torre del Mangia offering panoramic views of the cityscape below. From this vantage point, visitors can marvel at the beauty of Siena's rooftops, churches, and rolling hills beyond. Throughout the year, the Piazza del Campo hosts various events and festivities, including the renowned Palio di Siena, a thrilling horse race that captures the spirit and passion of the city's residents. In conclusion, the Piazza del Campo is not merely a square but a symbol of Siena's rich history, vibrant culture, and enduring charm. It is a place where past and present converge, offering visitors an unforgettable glimpse into the soul of this enchanting Tuscan city.

Magical! Your imagination can easily transport you back to early times! Now there are cutevshops, cafes, and the best affogato I've ever had!

One of the many famous Piazzas in Florence. This one has beautiful statues, including one of the replicas of the David. If you don’t want to go to the Academia, you can see the David in this Piazza. It is just down the street from the Iffuzi museum.

Piazzo Campo is a beautiful spot in Siena. The clock tower is wonderful and keeps perfect time. Lively place, great cafes.

This square is really extraordinary! I fell in love at first sight. I totally recommend going there, just to stand for a moment and enjoy the beauty. I didn't go inside, nor bought a ticket but I so glad I just visited this place!

It might be busy but you could still get a spot and watch the crowd. Still somewhat relaxing amidst a big crowd. It’s a sight to behold. Best time of the year to visit for less crowd and weather - March/April

Absolutely stunning! One of the rare cathedrals that take your breath away from the outside in. We had taken a walking tour (Siena 2-hour walking tour and skip-the-line Duomo Tickets with Elio on Get You Guide), which I highly recommend, as it was fantastic to have our guide explain some of the most iconic and moving works of the cathedral.

This is the most beautiful church we visited in Italy. In peak season, you NEED to book in advance. We skipped the line to pick up our tickets and had no wait, but if you had to queue up, I would estimate at least 1 hr wait. If you're visiting Siena, make sure to set aside some time for this, just remember to dress appropriately for churches (shoulders covered)

In June 2021, there were not so many people here, thanks to which we could walk through this beautiful Tuscan town in peace and undisturbed. From the roof there is a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

Unbelievably beautiful in the inside, as gorgeous as in the outside. Surprised me. I thought it might be like Florence's duomo, fabulous in the outside and a little plain on the inside. But no. It's a sending inside as Milans cathedral! Wholly worth the 5 euro to visit. Superb

Easily one if the most beautiful buildings in Siena and one of the better cathedrals to visit. The interior is ornate and enormous. The attached museum is a must visit to truly appreciate Renaissance era Siena and the power this cathedral commanded. Tickets to enter are located just in front of the Cathedral.

Before visiting Siena, we knew that Siena was a rich small independent republic, developed even before Florence. We knew they have a great cathedral. But we were astonished when we saw it. Both exterior and interior are super elegant. On the floor are so many colorful engraving paintings, many of them are bible stories. It’s really impressive. We bought combined tickets for cathedral, church museum and the library.

Beautiful and majestic cathedral. Strongly recommended to get a ticket to visit the interior, it only costs 7€! Tall pillars of marble, very high ceilings and beautiful paintings. It's the size of an average church, but you can easily take hours, sitting there quietly, admiring the craftsmanship.

Absolutely stunning cathedral in Siena. Impressive is not just the black and white building, but also the floors. The queue can be quite long. If you want to visit the viewpoint, you need to buy the highest ticket category which also includes the museum. For the viewpoint, there's an extra waiting line up to one hour in the museum. The museum itself is interesting and worth a visit. The cheapest ticket category only includes the cathedral without baptistery and museum.

The most beautiful cathedral in Italy! The interior especially took my breath away due to the high ceilings, marble mosaics on the floor, black and white marble columns and the ornate carvings. The ceiling in the library is breathtaking as well. If you purchase a ticket via GetYourGuide, you must line up on the LEFT side of the cathedral to exchange your pass for a real ticket. Then you will have skip the line access into the cathedral.

Stunning Cathedral. We did the all inclusive for €21 and it was definitely worth it. The Portico and Opera were lovely additions to the experience. Plan for 2-3 hours for all. The Portico experience must be scheduled and tickets should be purchased in advance.

The cathedral is so beautiful and so peaceful. I have also visited the library it was just okay and small but the museum ❤ was incredible. Must go place while in siena.

A very unique and beautiful church, the most impressive in Siena. It's not too far from the main plaza. The outside is gorgeous and the Vatican inside is a pleasant surprise. There are cool busts of the Popes around the inside of the cathedral. Nice visit!

A magnificent piece of architecture, all of the front façade with its intricate masonry and sculpture and the inside is a large "WOW". Don't hold your breath as you will faint. I attach some photos as a tease to make you want to visit.😀. Either book tickets in advance if arriving there after 10:30 - 15:00 otherwise expect a bit of a queue. If in the queue you can buy online there and then go straight down the reservation line to get the tickets you have purchased. My wife and I purchased €20 tickets each, which covers all areas, what I call "The Full Monty" ticket!! This includes, inside the cathedral, up through the roof space and balconies looking down, crypt, museum and museum tower visit for a view of Siena. We were there for 3 - 4 hours, it takes to see and marvel.

It’s been a few months but forever in my heart. It was absolutely fabulous! Real time masses held. That’s the time they would limit visitors. Either go in to join the mass for free or wait outside for your timed entry.

Duomo di Siena is among the most visited sites in the region. Every square inch is richly detailed; inside out. Loved the contrast in color and design between the interior and exterior and the work with the black mármol inside.

A Unique experience for a truly wonderful Dome. It's worth the 5 Euros you have to pay to get inside!

One of the most beautiful cathedrals in Tuscany...not a church but a musem and a gallery. Be sure not to miss the library and Bernini chapelle...and the stories on the floor. Absolutelly breathtaking!

THIS cathedral is worth the 5E admit. It is packed with statues, plaques, gravestones, murals, stained glass. Background music adds ambience. Lots of chairs to sit, rest, relax and look around, marvel at the sheer hours, years of hard work putting this together (and who paid for all this and how?). It is amazing. The folks managing there are super friendly (surprise, compared to Firenze Duomo, which feels like a military exercise, left/right, left/right!). Directions everywhere, in/out, exit, bewildering. The ticket area is very small, so they hold you out there, the entrance is small, they queue you there (and this was March, very much off-season, downright quiet around there). But it all works. The give you a red-dot to return if you exit to WC, very nice touch. Cathedrals get kind of blurry after you've seen a few dozen...but this one is memorable. The floor mosaics are maybe unique, quite impressive, lots of sword-play depicted. They are all roped off, making the cavernous place almost cozy. 5E admit is plenty but you can pay 21E to climb to the top.

You should buy your ticket in advance to avoid waiting in line to buy the ticket. This duomo is really big and pretty, unlike the one in Florence, which is just big... We really enjoyed walking around, admiring the paintings on the ground, wall, and ceiling. Inside the duomo, you could find the entrance to the Piccolomini Library as well.

A must see in Siena. The ticket office is on the left side of the cathedral and it’s worth buying the tickets online to avoid the long queue.

No matter how many times I visit, I'm always enchanted by it's complexity of marble carving, by its interwoven 4 styles of architecture that make it unique, by the master artists that embilished the inside... Pisano, Raffaelo, Botticelli, Donatello, Michelangelo and Vasari who designed the dome frescoes.

A pleasant surprise after the disappointment of duomo in Florence. The building is an interesting piece of architecture and the interiors are very rich. That’s how I imagine a cathedral should look like. The ticket is 5 eur, but thanks to that there are no lines to enter, at least when I was visiting.

You can not miss it. Make sure to visit also the museo dell opera dell duomo to see Duccio's Maesta!

Tickets sold outside at the left of the cathedral. I bought the full ticket that is valid for three days. The audio guide is free scanning the QR printed in the ticket 🎟️

Great views. Decent price for a family ticket. Kind of a must if you’re in Siena, you’re going to want the picture and to say you did the climb. I’m not in great shape but I made it up, down was slower as I was a bit lightheaded. They insist you only stay up for ten minutes, so that detracted from the experience but I understand, there’s only one shoulder width on the stairs, you can’t have folks up and down at the same time.

Beautiful views from this tower you cannot miss! Indeed, there are a lot of steps to get to the top, but it's definitely worth it 😊. Beware, the tickets can be bought only for the current day, not upfront. In case of bad weather forecast the tower is closed, so definitely check the forecast prior buying the tickets.

On the battlements of the tower you can visit the most beautiful viewpoint in Siena, which offers a breathtaking view of the whole city and its hilly surroundings. There are 400 steps to the top and no elevator. The tower is open daily from 10:00 to 18:15, in winter only until 15:15. The ticket price is €10 for the tower or the Museo Civico itself. A combination of both tickets is sold at a discounted price of 15 EUR. The number of tickets is limited per day and it is recommended to be in line as early as 10:00 am.

Mind blowing. Ticket price of €10 is totally worth it. Go on a sunny morning or when there’s a nice sunset. Brilliant views…

We bought the ticket that give you access to climb the tower plus two other museums for €20. The price is not cheap but the view from the tower is amazing! You can only buy tickets for the same day and usually they sold out early, at 1pm we got the last two available spots for the day at 6pm. You need to climb 400 steps and before going up they request to leave backpacks on a locker. The stairs are narrow, but not too bad.

Must do in Siena. Period. The climb could be hot but not bad at all. We’re a family of 4 with kids of 3 and 7 years old. They did the climb with ease and little help from us. There are a few places to take a break and get in some breeze from the windows/openings on the wall. The rails are tall enough so height wasn’t a problem for my wife who’s usually afraid of heights. The stairs aren’t too steep although could be narrow at certain places but not unmanageable. Once atop, the view is panoramic and you can walk around the tower to take in views from all directions above the ancient city of Siena. About tickets: we got them 10:30 in the morning on a Friday in August. We were able to get a climbing slot of 11:30.

🏛 The signature of Sieana. Must be visited. The Torre del Mangia is a tower in Siena, in the Tuscany region of Italy. Built in 1338-1348, it is located in the Piazza del Campo, Siena's premier square, adjacent to the Palazzo Pubblico (Town Hall). When built it was one of the tallest secular towers in medieval Italy. At 102 m, it is second tallest after Cremona's Torrazzo (112 m (367 ft)), the Asinelli tower in Bologna at 97 m being third. The tower was built to be exactly the same height as the Siena Cathedral as a sign that the church and the state had equal amounts of power. Literally meaning "Tower of the Eater", the name refers to its first bellringer, Giovanni di Balduccio, nicknamed Mangiaguadagni ("Eat-the-profits", that is "Profit eater") either for his spendthrift tendency, idleness or gluttony. 🏛 Sieananın simgesi. Mutlaka ziyaret edin.

A good experience when in Siena with great views. Go and buy your tickets ahead of time. Bought ours in the morning and didn’t get to go up until 2 PM. Be warned they only give you 10 minutes when you make it to the top. Kind of a shame they don’t let you take more time to snap pictures of the gorgeous views after such a strenuous climb.

Great views. 340 stairs to climb worth the pictures you get... Also, on the way to the top, there are lovely sights. Tickets are available only on the spot and run out pretty quick...

If you visit Siena you have to make the climb up this tower. Buy your ticket from the office underneath in the courtyard but be aware that you book a time slot for later in the day. The climb is relatively challenging but there are areas to stop on the way if you need it. The climb is worth it for the breathtaking views of a beautiful city.

The view from the top of the tower is worth the price of admission. You will be treated to wonderful views of the city of Siena and the Tuscan countryside.

We purchased our tickets from the main office below the tower. You will need to make sure the attendants are aware of what type of tickets you would like. We missed the opportunity to benefit from a discount by not giving enough information regarding the attractions we wanted to visit. The entrance door to the start of the tower steps, is directly to the left as you walk into the main building. You would of been given a time slot and you will have to wait for your time slot before starting the climb. You will find a Stop and Go light at the entrance door, you should wait until the light turns green to start the climb inside the tower, on our decent we had people coming up before the light had turned green. You will find that after a few flights of stairs you will come across a room where you will show your ticket and you will be asked to put all bags in the lockers, the lockers are all against the wall, you retained the key that locks the door. You will also find a WC just incase you need to go. The climb isn’t that bad, just take your time, you will find that at some stages the doors frames are a little low and the width is a bit tight. Once at the top you have a 360 degree view of Siena, well worth the climb.

Amazing views! Make sure you book early in the day as the tours have a maximum group of 25. The staircases are narrow and steep but not too difficult. There's a toilet after the ticket barrier, at the base of the tower. The price is around €10 per person to climb the tower and your are limited to 30 minutes.

You can buy the tickets in the first floor, and stay for up to 1hr to enjoy the view. Sure is a goosebump-ish experience! But this is a MUST on your bucket list. You might spend about 15min going upstairs to the tower. Get a water bottle, and avoid using your phone so much once you reach. This is one in a lifetime for most of you people.

Absolutely stunning! One of the rare cathedrals that take your breath away from the outside in. We had taken a walking tour (Siena 2-hour walking tour and skip-the-line Duomo Tickets with Elio on Get You Guide), which I highly recommend, as it was fantastic to have our guide explain some of the most iconic and moving works of the cathedral.

This is the most beautiful church we visited in Italy. In peak season, you NEED to book in advance. We skipped the line to pick up our tickets and had no wait, but if you had to queue up, I would estimate at least 1 hr wait. If you're visiting Siena, make sure to set aside some time for this, just remember to dress appropriately for churches (shoulders covered)

In June 2021, there were not so many people here, thanks to which we could walk through this beautiful Tuscan town in peace and undisturbed. From the roof there is a beautiful view of the surrounding area.

Unbelievably beautiful in the inside, as gorgeous as in the outside. Surprised me. I thought it might be like Florence's duomo, fabulous in the outside and a little plain on the inside. But no. It's a sending inside as Milans cathedral! Wholly worth the 5 euro to visit. Superb

Easily one if the most beautiful buildings in Siena and one of the better cathedrals to visit. The interior is ornate and enormous. The attached museum is a must visit to truly appreciate Renaissance era Siena and the power this cathedral commanded. Tickets to enter are located just in front of the Cathedral.

Before visiting Siena, we knew that Siena was a rich small independent republic, developed even before Florence. We knew they have a great cathedral. But we were astonished when we saw it. Both exterior and interior are super elegant. On the floor are so many colorful engraving paintings, many of them are bible stories. It’s really impressive. We bought combined tickets for cathedral, church museum and the library.

Beautiful and majestic cathedral. Strongly recommended to get a ticket to visit the interior, it only costs 7€! Tall pillars of marble, very high ceilings and beautiful paintings. It's the size of an average church, but you can easily take hours, sitting there quietly, admiring the craftsmanship.

Absolutely stunning cathedral in Siena. Impressive is not just the black and white building, but also the floors. The queue can be quite long. If you want to visit the viewpoint, you need to buy the highest ticket category which also includes the museum. For the viewpoint, there's an extra waiting line up to one hour in the museum. The museum itself is interesting and worth a visit. The cheapest ticket category only includes the cathedral without baptistery and museum.

The most beautiful cathedral in Italy! The interior especially took my breath away due to the high ceilings, marble mosaics on the floor, black and white marble columns and the ornate carvings. The ceiling in the library is breathtaking as well. If you purchase a ticket via GetYourGuide, you must line up on the LEFT side of the cathedral to exchange your pass for a real ticket. Then you will have skip the line access into the cathedral.

Stunning Cathedral. We did the all inclusive for €21 and it was definitely worth it. The Portico and Opera were lovely additions to the experience. Plan for 2-3 hours for all. The Portico experience must be scheduled and tickets should be purchased in advance.

The cathedral is so beautiful and so peaceful. I have also visited the library it was just okay and small but the museum ❤ was incredible. Must go place while in siena.

A very unique and beautiful church, the most impressive in Siena. It's not too far from the main plaza. The outside is gorgeous and the Vatican inside is a pleasant surprise. There are cool busts of the Popes around the inside of the cathedral. Nice visit!

A magnificent piece of architecture, all of the front façade with its intricate masonry and sculpture and the inside is a large "WOW". Don't hold your breath as you will faint. I attach some photos as a tease to make you want to visit.😀. Either book tickets in advance if arriving there after 10:30 - 15:00 otherwise expect a bit of a queue. If in the queue you can buy online there and then go straight down the reservation line to get the tickets you have purchased. My wife and I purchased €20 tickets each, which covers all areas, what I call "The Full Monty" ticket!! This includes, inside the cathedral, up through the roof space and balconies looking down, crypt, museum and museum tower visit for a view of Siena. We were there for 3 - 4 hours, it takes to see and marvel.

It’s been a few months but forever in my heart. It was absolutely fabulous! Real time masses held. That’s the time they would limit visitors. Either go in to join the mass for free or wait outside for your timed entry.

Duomo di Siena is among the most visited sites in the region. Every square inch is richly detailed; inside out. Loved the contrast in color and design between the interior and exterior and the work with the black mármol inside.

A Unique experience for a truly wonderful Dome. It's worth the 5 Euros you have to pay to get inside!

One of the most beautiful cathedrals in Tuscany...not a church but a musem and a gallery. Be sure not to miss the library and Bernini chapelle...and the stories on the floor. Absolutelly breathtaking!

THIS cathedral is worth the 5E admit. It is packed with statues, plaques, gravestones, murals, stained glass. Background music adds ambience. Lots of chairs to sit, rest, relax and look around, marvel at the sheer hours, years of hard work putting this together (and who paid for all this and how?). It is amazing. The folks managing there are super friendly (surprise, compared to Firenze Duomo, which feels like a military exercise, left/right, left/right!). Directions everywhere, in/out, exit, bewildering. The ticket area is very small, so they hold you out there, the entrance is small, they queue you there (and this was March, very much off-season, downright quiet around there). But it all works. The give you a red-dot to return if you exit to WC, very nice touch. Cathedrals get kind of blurry after you've seen a few dozen...but this one is memorable. The floor mosaics are maybe unique, quite impressive, lots of sword-play depicted. They are all roped off, making the cavernous place almost cozy. 5E admit is plenty but you can pay 21E to climb to the top.

You should buy your ticket in advance to avoid waiting in line to buy the ticket. This duomo is really big and pretty, unlike the one in Florence, which is just big... We really enjoyed walking around, admiring the paintings on the ground, wall, and ceiling. Inside the duomo, you could find the entrance to the Piccolomini Library as well.

A must see in Siena. The ticket office is on the left side of the cathedral and it’s worth buying the tickets online to avoid the long queue.

No matter how many times I visit, I'm always enchanted by it's complexity of marble carving, by its interwoven 4 styles of architecture that make it unique, by the master artists that embilished the inside... Pisano, Raffaelo, Botticelli, Donatello, Michelangelo and Vasari who designed the dome frescoes.

A pleasant surprise after the disappointment of duomo in Florence. The building is an interesting piece of architecture and the interiors are very rich. That’s how I imagine a cathedral should look like. The ticket is 5 eur, but thanks to that there are no lines to enter, at least when I was visiting.

You can not miss it. Make sure to visit also the museo dell opera dell duomo to see Duccio's Maesta!

Tickets sold outside at the left of the cathedral. I bought the full ticket that is valid for three days. The audio guide is free scanning the QR printed in the ticket 🎟️

Super super beautiful room. I can sit here whole day just admire all the painting in the wall. If you enter early to the catheral , for the first half and hour u can stay there as long as u want. If you are coming with a group tour, too bad..you can only go like one round especially the peak time.. The guard will control at the entrance.. This room is included in the catheral entrance fee.

Beautiful wall paintings and some old books to see. It’s included in the cathedral ticket

The Piccolomini Library is a monumental environment of the Siena cathedral.The library is magically beautiful. Its frescoes and exposed books are priceless treasure. In the honor the memory of the maternal uncle Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pope Pius II), and to preserve the rich bibliographic patrimony that the pontiff and humanist collected when he was in Rome, Cardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, archbishop of Siena (later Pope Pius III), around in 1492 he was built a library on the premises of the old rectory along the north-western side of the Cathedral. Todeschini was inspired by the French tradition that included libraries attached to cathedrals and by the opening of the Vatican Library of Pope Sixtus IV. As for the chronology of the frescoes that decorate the library, they were made by Pinturicchio and his workshop in a period of time ranging from 1503 to 1508 and celebrate the life and deeds of the pontificate of Pius II, rich in evocation of landscapes and real and imaginative costumes, with refined representations of ceremonies and characters, performed with a wealth of glazed colors. Among the beautiful murals besides Pope Pius II is the character of Pinturicchio himself. In the scene with the canonization of Saint Catherine of Siena, among the public of the religious orders, in the lower left, the two figures in which the young Raphael (with red stockings) have long recognized themselves, who would have collaborated with Bernardino di Betto the execution of the frescoes in the Library, and Pinturicchio himself (with the red cap). The fifth scene of the cycle is one of the best known: it represents the meeting, promoted by the pontiff, between Emperor Frederick III and Eleonora of Portugal, which took place on February 24, 1452, near Porta Camollia. In addition to the murals in the room, we can also admire the marble sculpture of Three Graces. Magnificent codes ( Hand Painted and Written Books),(Gradualie Antifonari) are preserved in the display cases on the walls. It is a very representative collection for the history of the Italian miniature of the fifteenth century. Beyond the Sienese artists, the most precious pages are those decorated by Girolamo da Cremona and Liberale da Verona.

Beautiful room inside Siena's cathedral. Spectacular and exceptional artwork in this library constructed by Pope Pius III to commemorate the memory of his uncle, Pope Pius II. The walls are divided into 10 scenes representing various important stages in the life of the Pope, the ceiling itself offers another impressive view with its main rectangle and half voltas painted in blue, red and gold and in the middle of the room there's the beautiful copy of The Three Graces from Roman times.

Very worthwhile to get in line to see this library with beautiful images all around

Actually I got neck pain after staring too long at the walls and ceiling. Vibrant colour and a 3D vision when combining with the curves that wrap each picture. It gave me a feeling that I look at different rooms beyond the walls. Masterpieces of work! Full respect for the artists of more than 500 years ago!

Simply amazing decoration on the walls & ceiling. Do not miss this wonderful library. The hand writing in the manuscripts is a work of art.

Architectural monument of XV century with stunning murals painted by Pinturicchio and showing the scenes from the life of the Pope Pius II (Piccolominni).

The entrance to the library is via the cathedral and once you enter the library you are blown away by these beautiful frescoes. They tell the story of Siena's most loved residents, cardinal Enea Silvio Piccolomini who eventually would later become Pope Pius II. If you are considering whether to get the ticket which includes entrance to the library than no need to hesitate. It's well worth it.

(Translated by Google) Beautiful but not great. Honestly, if it hadn't been included in the very salty single ticket I would have avoided it. I advise you not to leave it for last in order to look at it more carefully. (Original) Bella ma non eccezionale. Onestamente se non fosse stata compresa nel salatissimo biglietto unico l'avrei evitata. Vi consiglio di non lasciarla per ultima in modo da guardarla con più attenzione.

In order to visit the Crypt you need to purchase a ticket for the Cathedral. The cathedral costs €4 to enter just the cathedral or you can buy the OPI Pass which costs €13 and this gives access to the cathedral, Piccolomini library, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Facciatone, Crypt and Baptistry. It is well worth paying the extra to visit all the other facilities. You can purchase the OPI pass online and book a time slot to visit the cathedral. This saves time not having to queue to enter. The crypt shows a number of old frescoes and the old cathedral below the current cathedral. The frescoes are impressive for their age. They are still clear and detailed for their age.

(Translated by Google) When the work, originally commissioned by the Opera della Metropolitana in 1999 to restore the spaces that connect the San Giovannino Oratory to San Gennaro, was expanded to include the area below the Cathedral's main chapel, it brought to light a totally unexpected decorated space with a series of paintings from the second half of the 13th century. The absolute novelty and superb quality of the frescoes rediscovered after so many centuries, expand our knowledge of 13th century wall painting, providing us with crucial evidence of the birth and initial development of the painting school in Siena. The discovery was also not limited to figurative art. The archaeological and architectural findings, in perfect harmony with the paintings, are also of great interest, and in fact many of the structural elements are still abundantly decorated, offering us a new and unusual image of painted architecture. Together with the discovery of the foundations of the church's absidal section, this revealed valuable light on the construction phases of the Cathedral and on the countless unresolved problems that surround it. Painted by artists who worked in Siena in the second half of the 13th century - men like Guido da Siena, Dietisalvi di Speme, Guido di Graziano and Rinaldo da Siena - the cycle of paintings is notable for the brightness of the colors that cover, not only the walls with frescoes, but also columns, pilasters, capitals and dogs with geometric or phytomorphic ornaments. The scenes are organized into two records with Old Testament stories in the upper register and New Testament stories in the lower register. The mesmerizing solemn representation of the Passion of Christ captures the three great moments of the Crucifixion, the Descent of Christ from the Cross and the Entombamento. Visitors can contemplate a series of areas that house parts of the Cathedral's structure that date from the 12th, 13th and 14th centuries. It is still possible to see stone walls of what must have been the chancel and the north transept of the 12th century Cathedral, but the entire area was completely remodeled in the 14th century and following the construction of the Baptistery and the extension of the Cathedral to the Piazza San Giovanni, was incorporated into the new brick structures with their large gothic lancets. (Original) Quando a obra, originalmente encomendada pela Opera della Metropolitana em 1999 para recuperar os espaços que ligam o Oratório de San Giovannino ao de San Gennaro, foi ampliada para incluir a área abaixo da capela-mor da Catedral, trouxe à luz um espaço totalmente inesperado decorado com uma série de pinturas da segunda metade do século XIII. A novidade absoluta e a qualidade soberba dos afrescos redescobertos após tantos séculos, ampliam nosso conhecimento da pintura de parede do século XIII, fornecendo-nos evidências cruciais do nascimento e desenvolvimento inicial da escola de pintura de Siena. A descoberta também não se limitou apenas à arte figurativa. Os achados arqueológicos e arquitetônicos, em perfeita harmonia com as pinturas, são também de grande interesse, e de fato muitos dos elementos estruturais ainda estão abundantemente decorados, oferecendo-nos uma imagem nova e inusitada da arquitetura pintada. Juntamente com a descoberta dos alicerces da secção absidal da igreja, esta revelou valiosa luz sobre as fases de construção da Catedral e sobre os inúmeros problemas ainda não resolvidos que a rodeiam. Pintado por artistas que trabalharam em Siena na segunda metade do século XIII - homens como Guido da Siena, Dietisalvi di Speme, Guido di Graziano e Rinaldo da Siena - o ciclo das pinturas é notável pelo brilho das cores que cobrem, não só o paredes com afrescos, mas também as colunas, pilastras, capitéis e cachorros com enfeites geométricos ou fitomórficos. As cenas são organizadas em dois registros com histórias do Antigo Testamento no registro superior e histórias do Novo Testamento no registro inferior. A hipnotizante representação solene da Paixão de Cristo captura os três grandes momentos da Crucificação, a Descida de Cristo da Cruz e o Entombamento. Os visitantes podem contemplar uma série de áreas que abrigam partes da estrutura da Catedral que datam dos séculos XII, XIII e XIV. Ainda é possível ver paredes de pedra do que deve ter sido a capela-mor e o transepto norte da Catedral do século XII, mas toda a área foi totalmente remodelada no século XIV e na sequência da construção do Batistério e do prolongamento da Catedral para a Piazza San Giovanni, foi incorporado às novas estruturas de tijolos com suas grandes lancetas góticas.

Very nice crypt with marvelous fresco paintings. Not to big, but take the time to endure these fresco's. You are actually below the kathedral of Sienna as you can look up thru glass in the ceiling. Included acces with OPA ticket.

The crypt of the Siena Duomo cathedral is located outside and to the right of the main cathedral entrance. The crypt is small and showcases nice artworks, sculptures, and frescoes.

Personally I didn’t find it very spectacular or exceptional but it’s included in the cathedral tickets so if you have time it’s probably worth to have a look

(Translated by Google) positioned halfway between the Duono of Siena and the Baptistery, it is accessed from outside the Cathedral on the right. I booked the ticket online together with the visit to the Cathedral and the Museum Complex with Opa. Excellent service. Very friendly staff available to provide directions. Art is Queen with frescoes, stained glass windows, sculptures etc. to visit! (Original) posizionata a meta tra il Duono di Siena e il Battistero si accede dall'esterno del Duomo da destra. Ho prenotato on line il biglietto unitamente alla visita della Cattedrale e del Complesso Museale con Opa. Ottimo servizio. Molto gentile il personale disponibile a fornire indicazioni. L'arte è Regina con affreschi, vetrate, sculture etc.. da visitare!

(Translated by Google) I recommend planning your visit to the Duomo complex in detail by purchasing the ticket in advance and checking the times. The entrance is located on the wall of the Cathedral towards Via Monna Agnese. The Crypt contains very well preserved thirteenth century frescoes. (Original) Consiglio di pianificare nel dettaglio la visita al complesso del Duomo con l’acquisto del biglietto in anticipo e la verifica degli orari. L’entrata si trova sulla parete del Duomo verso via Monna Agnese. La Cripta contiene affreschi del duecento molto ben conservati.

(Translated by Google) Descending from the Cathedral of Siena before arriving at the Baptistery, going along a long marble staircase on the left, the entrance to the Crypt is really worth a visit, you can discover the first settlement of Christianity in Siena. (Original) Scendendo dal Duomo di Siena prima di arrivare al Battustero percorrendo una lunga scalinata marmoreo sulla sinistra l'entrata alla Cripta merita davvero una visita si può scoprire il primo insediamento del Cristianesimo a Siena .

The Palazzo Publico in Siena, Italy, is a stunning architectural marvel steeped in history and significance. Its Gothic design, with its towering bell tower, intricate façade, and imposing stature, commands attention in the heart of Siena's Piazza del Campo. The interior is equally impressive, featuring magnificent frescoes by artists such as Ambrogio Lorenzetti, depicting scenes of civic virtue and governance. Visitors are transported back in time as they explore the grand halls and chambers where Siena's government once convened. The highlight of any visit is undoubtedly the breathtaking Sala del Mappamondo, adorned with Simone Martini's iconic Maestà fresco, a masterpiece of medieval artistry. Aside from its architectural and artistic splendor, the Palazzo Publico offers panoramic views of Siena and the surrounding Tuscan countryside from its panoramic terrace, providing a perfect vantage point for capturing memorable photographs. Overall, the Palazzo Publico is a must-visit destination for history enthusiasts, art aficionados, and anyone seeking to immerse themselves in the rich cultural heritage of Siena. Its combination of architectural grandeur, artistic treasures, and panoramic vistas make it a truly unforgettable experience.

Probably one of the most iconic building of Siena, featured in James Bond’s Quantum of Solace with the rooftop chase while the horse race is happening on Il Campo, the big square in front of the building. The symmetry of the architecture is quite astounding, particularly the inner courtyard right after entering the Palazzo.

Do not miss this museum - put this alongside the Duomo and Piccolomini library as the 3 must sees in Siena. You really need to witness some of the ancient frescos depicting life in the 14th century. Check out wikipedia about the Palazzo and also under "The Allegory of Good and Bad Government". No queue off-season, can't say high season.

The Palazzo Publico is situated in the famous Piazza Del Campo and started construction in 1297. Like most buildings on the square it is stunning. Also close by are the Duomo Di Siena and the Torre Del Mangia. A wonderful location to visit, have a coffee or meal, shop or just people watch.

Fantastic building in historical Siena. Lots of restaurants available, but beware the inflated prices for the view.

Beautiful courtyard area with shops and restaurants. Lots of history here if you read up on it. Don't ride your bike through the square! The cops will stop you!

There would be no Siena without this building. History is inscribed in every square inch of this town hall.

Must-have visit if you are in town: wonderful historical piece of Siena, well preserved palace and stunning terrace... do not forget to climb there!

The Allegory of Good and Bad Government by Ambrogio Lorenzetti is restrating .

Nice building with a museum inside with lots of frescos and religious art pieces. We bought the pass with Torre Mangia climbing, this museum and another one for €20. Clean toilets and no crowds inside.

There are many rhings to see inside the plaza, like la torre del mangia and the museum right next to it. You have to pay to go to these places inside but its worth it

Simply stunning! It’s worth the visit! If you are visiting Siena take time to visit the palace and it’s wonderful terrace. We didn’t climb the tower due to knee problems.. what a pity…

We visited in October 2017. Good museum inside and a wonderful view from the top across Sienna. You have to get up a tall winding tower to get there and sometimes this is closed but luckily open when we visited. Well maintained for a building from 1297. 9 Euros to enter but totally worth it.

Located at the back of the Cathedral near the Crypt you will find the Baptistry. You will need to purchase a ticket and I suggest the €23 pass which gives you entry to the Cathedral, allows you to climb panoramic facade, the Mini Library, the Bapistry, the Museum, the Crypt and to walk the nave in the Cathedral (The Gate of Heaven). The Baptistry was undergoing some repair work and there was scaffolding and hoarding inside. It was a small section and didn't really detract from our view of the inside. The exquisite ceiling was the showstopper for me. Very ornate and beautiful.

We were lucky enough to be able to enter the Battistero di San Giovanni as it was listed as being closed. Unfortunately, there is still a large scaffold in the center of the baptisterry that blocks a 360 view in this part of the duomo. Beautiful nonetheless and if you time as part of your OPA or Porta del Cielo pass, stop in to see this in addition to the other aspects of the complex.

Currently under construction but you can see some parts of it. And except of the baptisterium there are some sculptures inside as well

The architecture is really beautiful, and we had a good time looking around the baptistery. The entrance fee is included in the Siena OPA pass which we bought online for 16 euros.

To visit the Battistero di San Giovanni - Siena you can buy the OPI Pass which costs €13 and this gives access to the cathedral, Piccolomini library, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Facciatone, Crypt and Baptistry. It is well worth purchasing the OPI pass online. The church is well worth visiting to see the frescoes and ceilings which look like new. The church is open 10:30-7pm.

The battistero was going under some renovation, but we were able to see the frescoes and the sculptures of Donatello.

The Baptistery of St. John is extremely well adorned with fine artwork on the walls & ceiling & is just a great place to see.

Had the full ticket, did the 6pm entrance to the Duomo tour. By the time I walked to the Battistero, we could not go in because they close the door early (30 minutes early). Sadly, nowhere in the program or times does it say the Battistero's last entrance is at a certain time. We actually got there as the attendant was closing the door, and he did not want us in. Maybe reconsider visits to Siena in the future and check other places instead...

The Battistero di San Giovanni is in the square with the same name. It‘s a beautiful building but hard to see it’s grandeur from the small square. Worth a visit to see Donatello‘s works inside

The ceiling mosaic was unfortunately covered for restoration when we visited but a good place for a short visit as per of the combo ticket for the cathedral.

It is a nice gothic church and the place with all the old buildings is very beautiful and impressed.I buy a ticket online and I would prefer it to do the same.I booked a tour with a guide and it was good and interesting to learn about the history of the church.The city is so beautiful and old.You thinking the time stops here many years before

Beautiful church; pretty ascetic design, but completely related to the christian philosophy and movement to which the church belongs. There are kept part of bodies of Saints Catherine of Siena. There is also very nice book shop, with very interesting books, not only about religious topics, but also about art.

The first thing we see when we come to Siena is this beautiful Basilica. We are amazed by her beauty and grandeur. The Basilica of San Domenico is one of the most important churches in Siena. It contains a multitude of important frescoes and relics. Her history is more than interesting. Much of the mystical life of Saint Catherine took place within the walls of this beautiful Basilica, which was one of the first to be dedicated to St. Dominic.The Dominicans arrived in Siena in 1220, a year before the death of their founder Domenico di Guzmán. And they begin the construction of this Basilica in 1226 on the hill of Camporegio which they received as a gift from the Malavolti family. It was built in stages and completed in 1465, in Gothic style. The Church contains a magnificent Maestà by Guido da Siena (master to Duccio of Boninsegna) dating back to 1221. The old Chapter Room, the old Sacresty, the Refectory and the Dormitory were all built with the original Church and the Cloister was frescoed by Lippo Memmi and Lippo Vanni. In the first half of the fourteenth century the new Church (crypt and transept for the old Church) was built on the steep side of Camporegio hill overlooking the district of Fontebranda where St. Catherine had been born. Catherine of Siena was a mystic, activist, and author who had a great influence on Italian literature and the Catholic Church. When she began going to Church of St. Dominic the new edifice was already almost finished. Catherine of Siena is one of the outstanding figures of medieval Catholicism, by the strong influence she has had in the history of the papacy and her extensive authorship. She was behind the return of the Pope from Avignon to Rome, and then carried out many missions entrusted by the pope, something quite rare for a woman in the Middle Ages. Her Dialogue, hundreds of letters, and dozens of prayers, also give her a prominent place in the history of Italian literature. After the canonization of St. Catherine in 1461 the Basilica accepted the most precious Caterian codes and many relics (contains the head-relic of Saint Catherine). They are located in La cappella di Santa Caterina.

We visited the Basilica on a Saturday, but didn't have to wait at all to enter. I didn't take pictures from the inside, but it is beautiful. A must-see if you are visiting Siena.

Free entrance, no photo allowed for the interior. A great spot to see old town Siena

Worth to pop in for the relics of Saint Catarina of Siena: her head and a finger. Also there is the well known fresco depicting the saint a year after her death.

In Siena This basilica is so different to many others in Italy. It’s pared back simplicity. But then its soaring high vaulted ceilings are humbling too. The bell tower is stunning. Such engineering for those times. Plus it was rebuilt three times. Mostly because of earthquakes. A lovely place to remember Catherine of Siena. A doctor of the church

The vantage point that the Basilica Cateriniana has within the western side of the walled city of Siena is quite high (though not quite dramatic as San Leo-see my review on this town). The building itself is enormous and there are a number of focal points within the basilica itself to worship at. The interior is nice, but not nearly ornate as the nearby Duomo. Still a definite draw especially if you see the exterior facade which is far more grand than the interior.

Whenever I’m in Siena, I always enjoy coming to this church & visiting St Catherine’s relics. Beautiful art & it’s usually not packed with people.

Very cool place to see in Siena, lady in the gift shop was very friendly and helpful. You can see the head and thumb of St Caterina, it’s odd but cool to see.

Very serene. Combination of old and new. Saw St. Caterina’s thumb and head - the 2 most important relics in Siena. Entrance is free. But no photos. I understand that - respect. Inside is quite pared back with a few little chapels. It’s cavernous! Outside the view is amazing! Good panoramic view of the duomo and tower.

It is a beautiful, quiet basilica with a nice view. Definitely go there.

Even in busy days their are continuously selling ticket... For the considerable amount of 15 euros knowing they cannot handle the flow of tourist. Packing hundreds of people in closed rooms without possibility to move forward. It is ok that there are Covid limitations and busy holidays. But do not sell more tickets than you can handle. It is a simple concept. Shameful organisation... This is only 1 of the 4 queues!!

It’s a long queuing to get to the viewing point but it’s worth waiting. The view is amazing (if the weather is nice)

The museum itself is good, what really impressed me is going to the top of the building. Interesting walk and beautiful views that made it a 5-star experience. I needed to queue for around 20 minutes to get there though, so please make sure to reserve some time for it.

Astonishing viewpoint, worth waiting 30-50 minutes in queue and climb up there. You will see beautiful panoramic Siena from the top!

During the pandemic prepare for waiting game. That's how we called it. There are multiple spots in the building, were you need to wait a line. So here you spend around 45 minutes just waiting for the panorama view. At least you are in the museum with a lot of interesting objects while waiting.

One of the highlights of our trip to Siena. Purchase of an OPI Si pass gives you access to climb the Facciatone for a panoramic view above Siena. There was a bit of a wait on a Sunday afternoon, but not more than about 20 minutes and the view was much better than from the Tower in Piazza Del Campo. The stairs are very tight (I'm about 6ft and 100kg and it felt tight for me - if you're much taller or heavier it will feel tighter) and very steep and you feel quite enclosed and then pop out into a very high open area - it's like experiencing claustrophobia and fear of heights in a single activity! Once you reach the top the views are amazing across the tops of the terracotta rooftops and down to Piazza Del Campo. Well worth the effort and the Museo that is the entrance is fascinating too.

Wonderful view of siena and the piazza del campo. The Multi ticket for the cathedral is about 13 euros and is decent value. The stairs aren't too steep, though there is often queues as they limit the number of people allowed up. Definitely recommend however.

Beautiful views of whole Siena - especially Il Duomo and Torre del mangia. I recommend to come during the week in the evening, cause during the day and especially during weekends you can wait in a line for quite some time. Recommended!

We didn’t really go for the museum, but for the views. Holy!!!!! The view from the top is amazing. Getting tickets can be tricky. The ticket booth is located on the opposite side of the entrance to the museum. The booth is on the other side of the cathedral. There is a short line for overload access. A few narrow steps to get to the top. Also, extremely narrow and low ceiling. Lol check the pics. I’m 6’1”.

To visit the Facciatone you can buy the OPI Pass which costs €13 and this gives access to the cathedral, Piccolomini library, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Facciatone, Crypt and Baptistry. It is well worth purchasing the OPI pass online. To see the views you need to enter the museum which is open 10:30-18:00pm. During our visit to Tuscany we visited over 50 different tourist attractions and found that visiting this museum and views was one of the least busiest tourist places we visited. We did not have to wait long to enter the museum. We were able to freely walk through the museum without having to stop and wait to enter the rooms. We only had to wait about 15 minutes to visit the Facciatone (panorama view) as one group was in front of us. They limited the number of people visiting the view point at one time. You were then allocated a certain amount of time to take in the views before being expected to come down and let the next group up. This gave everyone opportunity to take in the views in this time. If visiting the museum and the Facciatone I suggest you look at the queue outside the museum and if too long go and visit the other facilities and return later. It is well worth visiting the Facciatone to see the views out across Siena and the cathedral complex.

Super view point part of the multi entry ticket for the Dumo / cathedral. Some head for heights and ability to climb narrow stairs unsurprising is required. And be prepared to queue as groups are let in in blocks of about 16 people at a time, every 10 mins.

Amazing view of all siena! Worth it 100%

Industrial expensive ice creams and they don't even give water, I had to pay for water. And even, they give 2 glasses for 3. 1 star for the view. Hygiene is abominable and you must show the bill to use "restrooms".

Horrible experience. They refused to bring us a bill. Said their system was down. We only had 4 cups of coffee. When we went and got gelato from another shop and brought it back to eat while we waited, suddenly we were able to pay. Only after one of the employees yelled at us. I can not stress enough how awful this experience was for us. Do not eat here!!!! They are so very rude.

Would rate zero stars if I could. My husband and I just stopped for a quick drink before continuing with our tour. We made the mistake of asking the RUDEST waiter for our check, and when he returned he brought us a bowl of chips. Thinking he misunderstood us, I clarified we wanted the check. I literally said “excuse me, sir, we were wanting the check please”. He replied back that I should I ask more respectfully next time?? Very confusing honestly and disappointing. Don’t waste your money here. Spend your money at an establishment who knows how to show their customers respect. Ironic, no?

The tables were dirty and greasy and the bathroom… made us not eat there after I washed my hands. Put it simple the horse stable smels better than their bathroom.

The stuff were extremely rude with my family. When we try to ask why we have been served that way, the waiter told me that I should be grateful to be served at all. They really ruined our stay in Siena.

We visited this place in two different moments of the day: the church in the morning and the rest of the museum in the afternoon. The church was very nice and unique but the museum was in some parts confusing; in some parts of the museum there were very nice pieces of art but in other parts modern art which I didn’t like. I would recommend to visit mainly the church and only if you have time the museum.

Santa Maria della Scala, Siena What used to be a well-known civilian hospital that catered to abandoned children, the poor, the sick and pilgrims is now one of Siena's best-known museums. In the Santa Maria della Scala you will find great masterpieces such as the interior frescoes, which are represented there. the vast collection within covers a wide range of periods, functions and architectural intrigues. The primary points of interests include the labyrinth of the hallways and levels, the colorful frescoes, the archive of archaeological finds and the sparkling treasure in the hall of relics. The Complex of Santa Maria della Scala is one of the oldest "hospitals" in Europe. Established along the via Francigena, it sits right in front of Siena's majestic Duomo and was thus the perfect site for welcoming travelers going along the pilgrimage route to Rome. Santa Maria della Scala was one of the first European examples of a place completely dedicated to offering lodging and shelter to pilgrims, as well as offering support to the poor and a home to abandoned children - so it was hospital in the sense of hospitality!

In front of the Cathedral of Siena, this structure houses three museums. It is a beautiful structure that acted as a hospital and provided shelter to pilgrims traveling through Siena. Definitely recommended.

Fabulous museum with a mixture of archeological, historical and religious artifacts. Well curated and very interesting. However the staff (volunteers?) were rude and unhelpful.

Beautifully Siena architecture with a really cool history. The classic stripes are really stunning

Very nice church to visit in Sienna. History and architecture in motion.

Small but fascinating museum that was once a hospital sponsored by wealthy citizens of Siena to care for children and the poor. While the crowds visit Duomo di Siena just a few meters away, it’s well worth the 9 euros to explore this quiet gem. Take in the breathtaking frescos or visit the cold and eerie underground worship areas. If you have time, don’t miss this place.

Santa Maria della Scala in Siena is a historic complex that was once a hospital. Highlights include the amazing frescoes in the Pilgrims' Hall, lots of religious artifacts and the intricate artwork in the subterranean Baptistery. Totally worth the visit! We were not expecting to enjoy so much but we did.

It seemed nice but as mentioned a lot (and me and my wife regretted that we didn't read the reviews before), it's really long and after 30min waiting inside the museum to do 4 meters we gave up. From my point of view the view is not worth it. There are a lot of better places at Siena.

🏛 Nicely decorated, beatiful museum. The Museo dell'Opera del Duomo is an art museum in Siena, in Tuscany in central Italy. It houses works of art and architectural fragments that were formerly in, or a part of, the Duomo of Siena (Siena Cathedral). These include a number of Italian Gothic sculptures by Giovanni Pisano and his school from the façade of the cathedral; the Maestà of Duccio di Boninsegna, which was the altarpiece from about 1311 until 1505 and works by Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti. There are also works moved to the museum from other churches in the area, such as the Madonna of Duccio brought from the Pieve di Santa Cecilia at Crevole in the comune of 🏛 Güzel dekore edilmiş, güzel bir müze.

We waited in the queue to buy the ticket - just two desks were open for 100+ people waiting. Then we waited to enter the museum. Then we waited some more to enter each next room! This is ridiculous and staff is unprofessional and clearly doesn't understand how to organize.

Beautiful cathedral in Siena with unusual striped columns. No entry fee. Soaring interior. Also library with illuminated manuscript collection.

I bought the full ticket. This museum lead me to the facade of panorama, where I could take a look at Duomo in one sight. I could also look over Piazza Il Campo. But everybody had to wait to enter the facade in turn. I waited about 20 minutes.

The museum itself is quite fascinating and full of beautiful masterpieces but the way the staff are managing the load of visitors is indeed overwhelming. Instead of selling the timed tickets, they are selling the tickets massively without any regulations, and the visitors are getting blocked in long queues between rooms and sections. Visitors are people and not a group of sheeps to be treated like that!

Small museum. It’s a good surprise to see DONATELLO and Masaccio’s works there. It’s better to buy combined tickets, including the church, library.

Such a poor museum! People working there are rude (specially the guy at the entrance) ! If you have a baby, they pretend it is forbidden to use a stroller. It is not written anywhere. And when you ask them to show you the sign, they reply : "I can't because I am working". Then you can't visit the museum the way you want. They force you using their own way. So if you want to see few things, you can't!

Try to get the Opa Si Pass so that you can visit the Duomo Museum, it's worth it. The highlight obviously is the terrace view overlooking Il Campo and Siena as a whole. Since the stairwells are narrow, they only allow you to visit in batches so expect to wait.

To visit the Museum you can buy the OPI Pass which costs €13 and this gives access to the cathedral, Piccolomini library, Museo dell'Opera del Duomo and Facciatone, Crypt and Baptistry. It is well worth purchasing the OPI pass online. The museum is open 10:30-18:00pm. During our visit to Tuscany we visited over 50 different tourist attractions and found that visiting this museum was one of the least busiest tourist places we visited. We did not have to wait long to enter the museum. We were able to freely walk through the museum without having to stop and wait to enter the rooms. We only had to wait about 15 minutes to visit the Facciatone (panorama view) as one group was in front of us. They limited the number of people visiting the view point at one time. You were then allocated a certain amount of time to take in the views before being expected to come down and let the next group up. This gave everyone opportunity to take in the views in this time. If visiting the museum and the Facciatone I suggest you look at the queue outside the museum and if too long go and visit the other facilities and return later. The museum contains a number of artifacts that were found in the cathedral.

The large Stained-glass roseta by Duccio di Buoninsegna to fill the round “oculus” opening above the Cathedral’s chancel between 1287 and 1290, has been installed at the end of the room. Measuring fully six metres in diameter, the window contains three stories from the life of the Virgin –the Burial, the Assumption and tbe Coronation – in its three superimposedcentral registers, while on either side of the central panel we find depictions of Siena’s four patron saints, St. Bartholomew. The roseta on the front of the chiesa is an imitation.

Very nice museum across the kathedral of Sienna. Hardly any people in it. Very nice statues and tapestries and icon's from the past. Do not forget to go to the arch upstairs for a fantastic view of Sienna and the surroudings. Entrance is included in OPA ticket.

Two things are worth your time and money: (1) the Maeta by Duccio (look for a dark wood door with a small sign that says "Sala di Duccio". Once inside open Wikipedia to the entry for this masterpiece and look at the assembled image to understand what the original looked like. (2) Stand in line for the terrace or tower (not sure how it's labeled). It is a short hike up some spiral staircases to 360 view of the city that is 100% worth it. You could easily skip these two great experiences and miss 90% of the value of this great museum. BTW the other 10% is the stained glass that you can't possibly miss. Enjoy your visit.

Included in the combo pass. We waited 45 minutes to go to the top of the abandon "new" front entrance to the Cathedral. Totally worth it for the views. Several people turned back because of the tight spiral staircases. It really was not that bad.

A good place to check out in town and it's right across the street from the museum. Be aware that women entering showing too much of their shoulders will have to go get a white covering from the gift shop before you can enter the Duomo. You're also not allowed to wear a hat inside.

Santuario Casa di Santa Caterina is a pretty small holy sanctuary. The chapel is cozy while the iron work and exterior are lovely. The tile flooring is also special and is protected as the raised walk allows you to see but not walk in them. If you happen by do take some time to stop in.

Hey! If you come to Siena, you have to check out the church where the sacred relics of the city’s patron saint are kept! And not only that, there are also incredible works of art, including a self-portrait of the Saint when she was still alive. Don’t miss the chance to see all this in person if you're near! :D I don't wanna be rude, but i don't give 5 stars just because there's better... But this is a place you should give a chance to!

Serene religious place at the border of the city center of Siena. This place is worth to pay a visit when you pass by. I was here in September 2021. Nice architecture and beautiful building !

In addition to St. Francis of Assisi Italians have another patron saint as a nation, namely Saint Catherine of Siena. A woman who, in her short earthly and great spiritual life, bore all the hardships and problems of the Church of her time. The shrine of St. Catharine of Siena presented us with the environment in which she lived during the 14th century. The native house of St. Caterina of Siena was transformed into a sanctuary in 1464 and there you can find many signs about her life. Catherine Benincas was born on 25 March 1347 in Siena, Fontebranda Street. She was the penultimate of the 25 children born in the large family as a twin sister with Giovanna that shortly after the birth dies. Her father Giacomo Benincasa and mother Lapa Piacenti were a wealthy family. They were engaged in dyeing fabric and leather. Siena was a rich city, and their wealth was based on the wool trade. Katarina since her childhood has been searching for silence, prayer, solitude, and regularly visits the nearby Basilica of Saint Dominic held by the Dominican Fathers. At only six years old (1353) she had her first vision. Over the roof of St. Dominic's Basilica, she saw a smiling Christ seated on a throne in papal garb accompanied by the apostles Peter and Paul and St. John the Evangelist. She decided to join the Dominicans, but as the family objected, she decided to cut her hair in protest. In isolation, she sought clarity and a path for three years. She watched God’s heart carefully to learn how to live according to God’s plans. Living in great intimacy with Jesus, in one vision Jesus instructed her to consecrate herself to the apostolate.Thus, she spent the rest of her life caring for the sick of the plague, visiting the poor, reconciling quarreling relatives, traveling, pursuing high politics and reconciling citys i states, advocating for the restoration of the Church and the return of Pope Gregory XI to Rome from Avignon. She found strength in the Eucharist. She did not eat anything for days, only receiving the Eucharist. So small, illiterate, St. Catharine became a Church scholar and co-protector of Europe: building in herself, in a deep dark cell, a place of encounter with God. She's worthy of awe. The House-Sanctuary consists of various environments, on the right the Chiesa del Crocifisso (Church of the Crucifix) (the artwork from which the St. Caterina received the stigmata in the Chiesa di Santa Cristina in Pisa in 1375), on the left the Oratorio Superiore (Upper Oratory) with beautiful majolica floor, the Oratorio della Camera frescoed in 1896 by Alessandro Franchi, and the Chiesa di Santa Caterina in Fontebranda, with a wooden statue by Neroccio and paintings by Della Pacchia and Sodoma.

I loved the gate.

its a haven of peace, easy to spend time to visit this place on the way to the center town. Free entrance.

A must see if you visit san gimignano. The sanctuary is stunning. The paintings are exceptional. If you go. Prepare for a walk back up the hill.

A bit hidden, but very nice. I was there in mid-Oct, and if you show up around 10:30 in the morning, the sunlight passes the colored glass, high above the wall,, and hits a painting, with a person facing/looking towards the glass. Very cool effect. Would’ve attach a photo, but photo is not allowed.

Large basilica, with a lot of nativity scenes in 2023. The entrance was free, and the basilica was basically empty. You can see the unchanged communion from a long time ago supposedly, but I didn’t see it anywhere.

Quite a large basilica with plain architecture from the outside but not so on the inside. The Basilica is absolutely huge and has an impressive wooden roof. The Basilica is so huge that it feels empty when visiting. There are some very nice paintings and art works inside. Outside is a very nice square and a school with lots of students about.

Nestled amidst the picturesque Tuscan landscape, the Basilica of San Francesco stands as a majestic testament to the artistic and religious heritage of Siena, Italy. Dedicated to the revered Saint Francis of Assisi, this awe-inspiring Gothic structure has captivated visitors for centuries with its intricate architecture, captivating artworks, and profound spiritual ambiance. The basilica's construction began in the 13th century, evolving from a humble Romanesque building into a grand Gothic edifice. Its imposing facade, adorned with contrasting stripes of white and green marble, mirrors the grandeur of Siena's iconic Duomo. A magnificent rose window, crafted by the renowned Francesco di Giorgio Martini, adorns the center, casting a warm glow within the church's interior.

A perfect place to connect with God. Praying in front of the miraculous eucharist gives you the feeling of God being with you at that particular moment. Please visit this church when you are in Siena.

Too many churches to see and photograph in Italy for one lifetime. This one is almost entirely open space, with small but remarkably beautiful stained glass windows.

Everyone says the Duomo in Florence is a must, but the Basilica in Sienna is far grander. If you have to pay to get in, do it. Your jaw will drop at what human beings have made without concrete.

A Siena favorite.

Another impressive church to visit with beautiful stained glass and paintings. Worth a visit.

My wife and I just had one of the best meals during our stay in Siena. The park environment is simply beautiful, away from the commotion of the town center. Paolo took great care of us, suggesting all of the specialties of the house - from the pizza to the pasta to the rooster (yeah, tastes like chicken… really, really well prepared chicken), every dish was fresh and delicious. But, as always, service is the differentiator. Thank you, Paolo, for making us feel more than welcome, for creating a warm personal experience that we will not soon forget.

This place is so quite, peaceful with beautiful view of town and campo. Those who love to eat outdoor and want to avoid tourists and spend memorable time this is the best option. Furthermore food is delicious, 4 cheese pizza is the must try for cheese lovers so creamy delicious and yes please try their gannochi el pesto and dessert menu too. They've very professional and kind staff plus few of them understand English language and very friendly. You've to reserve your table for dining before so please keep it in mind.

Stunning location just few minutes from city center. Beautiful nature and view, escape from hot sun. Great pasta, many options to choose from, reasonable prices for this quality, staff polite and welcoming.

Hands down my favorite restaurant in Siena. It is nestled in the most amazing little nature oasis surrounded by the historic center on all sides. The food is authentic and delicious and a great price. The service is wonderful and the staff is very friendly. Everyone always seems so happy in this little paradise. Oh and there is an adorable donkey and several goats to see. Plenty of green grass to lie in after your delicious meal.

Excellent meal set in a beautiful garden. We strolled the vegetable garden (which was beautiful) shortly before being seated. My wife had the tagliatelle ai funghi and I had the pici salsiccia e finocchietto selvatico which paired excellently with the rosso di montalcino 2016. The service was excellent. our waiter bonded with us over his love of grunge music, Pearl Jam, and our home city of Seattle. The other tables were mostly local families which was fun and lively. The setting was superb. Will plan to return whenever I am back in Siena.

Great food. Cheesecake and carbonara is delicious. Really nice waiters

We had a wonderful evening there. Much cooler than the heat of the city with grass and trees but just a short walk down from Piazza del Mercado. The food was very nice and the custom made torta di Nonna for our event was amazing.

Great place - just off Siena's city centre but in the middle of a garden surrounded by Siena's hills.

Really good food and kind staff, welcoming. A beautiful tranquility oasis, just a foot away from the tourists herds. Highly recommend it! 😊

A very great place to have a good lunch. It has different places you can sit and enjoy typical food from Tuscany. Not too far from Siena city center. Recommended

Beautiful atmosphere in a luscious Park setting close to the historic centre of the city. We visited by accident and were already completely enchanted by the place. We managed to get a table for lunch even though we arrived spontaneously with 8 people, but we saw many others turned away because all tables were full. So it's definitely recommended to reserve a table in advance. Service was very fast and friendly, the food was delicious, especially the grilled filet steak and the roast rabbit stuffed with artichoke. We absolutely loved the experience and the food, a wonderful place!

Picturesque outdoor restaurant in the green area just a 500 m outside the walls if ancient Siena. Great place to sit and have a rest from busy centro historico. Very friendly English speaking service. Wide range of Toscana style dishes, pizza only for dinner. Spaghetti and pici was really delicious and in affordable prices. Gnocchi also recommended. Nice view on Siena sights.

Good quality for the price. Very fresh pizzas, therefore only a bit wet. We asked for take-away of the left over, but they didn't really understand it (English).

A perfect oasis just outside busy touristy Siena. Perfect getaway to stroll through the garden, look at the goats, lie down on the grass and eat some simple food in the restaurant. The food is not a highlight and the service neither, but it's all nice to see the peacocks beg for olives and to be surrounded by Italian families.