10 Best museums in Siena

One of the oldest historical centres is located in Siena, in the region of Tuscany, a small city full of ancient buildings, squares, fountains, churches and very interesting museums that invite you to embark on a historical and cultural tour of the region.

Visiting its museums is one of the best things you can see and do in Siena, as the whole city is connected to its past, and you can breathe in its history in every alleyway. Here I will tell you about the main museums in Siena, so that you can get to know the culture of the region in depth.

Although not strictly a museum, Siena Cathedral or Duomo Santa Maria Assunta in Siena contains some of the most important works of art in Siena and Italy. Visiting this cathedral is one of the best tours you can take in Siena.

The building itself is an architectural marvel, with its white marble façade with horizontal lines in green and red marble. The horizontal striped marble motif is also found inside, where you can see sculptures by Michelangelo and works of art by Donatello and Domenico Beccafumi, among others.

The Pavimento is considered one of the most interesting things to see in the Cathedral, of great artistic beauty, although you can only visit it between the end of June and mid-October, as the rest of the year it is protected from the footsteps of tourists.

The Cathedral is part of the Duomo Complex, so with your ticket you can see the Piccolomini Library, where there are frescoes by Pinturicchio; the Crypt; the Panorama del Facciatore, one of the most beautiful views of Siena; and Porta del Cielo, which is a special tour to see the incredible ceiling paintings up close. It also includes a visit to the Baptistery of San Giovanni, where baptisms were performed, and the Museo dell'Opera, where the original statues from the façade of the New Cathedral are kept.

More information

• Opening hours: every day from 10.30am to 5pm in winter, and from 10am to 7pm in summer.
• Location: Piazza del Duomo, 8, 53100 Siena, Italy
• Admission: to access the entire complex, approximately €17 for adults, €5 for children aged 7 to 11, and free for children under 6.
• Recommendations: check holiday and mass schedules on the Cathedral's website.

The Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana is one of the city's main museums. You can access it by purchasing a ticket to the Duomo Complex, or you can visit it on its own. It is located in Piazza del Duomo next to the Cathedral, in a building known as the New Cathedral. It was inaugurated in 1869.

It houses the original sculptures that had adorned part of the side façade of the cathedral, which was never completed due to the Black Death. Among the most important works you can see in this museum are those by Duccio Di Buoninsegna, especially the Majesty, which adorned the high altar of the Cathedral.

In this museum, you can also see the famous Renaissance statue of the Virgin and Child with Four Cherubs by Donatello and the Gothic statues by Giovanni, Pisano and Jacopo della Quercia.

The museum is part of the Duomo Complex, so if you purchase a ticket for the entire complex, you can also visit Siena Cathedral, the Piccolomini Library, the Crypt and the Baptistery at a discount. Before you go, it is important to find out about tickets for Siena Cathedral, how to purchase them, their prices and discounts, so that you have all the information you need about this complex.

More information

• Opening hours: every day from 9.30 a.m. to 7.30 p.m. from April to October. The rest of the year from 10:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. From 26 December to 6 January from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Public holidays from 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., and days before public holidays from 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Admission: approximately €17 for adults (or €20 with the Porta del Cielo tour) and €4 for children aged 7 to 11 (Opa si pass admission).
• Location: Piazza del Duomo 8, 53100 Siena, Italy.

The Santa Maria della Scala Museum is located in a complex of ancient buildings that once served as a civic hospital for pilgrims, right in front of Siena Cathedral. In addition to offering a journey through the history, art and culture of Siena, the building is decorated with frescoes and works by important artists.

The museum covers an area of over 20,000 square metres and has five floors, four of which are open to the public. It is one of the three most important museums in Siena.

Among the 15th-century frescoes on display in this museum, the fresco Meeting by Domenico Beccafumi (16th century) stands out. You can also visit the Pilgrim's Hall, which also has some very interesting frescoes, some of them by Domenico di Bartolo. This hall used to house beds for the sick.

The museum is part of the Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex, which includes the Children's Art Museum, located on the third floor of the complex, the National Archaeological Museum, the Gaia Fountain and other attractions.

More information

• Admission fee: around €9 per person.
• Opening hours: from 15 March to 15 October: every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Thursdays when it is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

The rest of the year: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.

• Location: Piazza del Duomo 1, Siena, IT 53100.

The Civic Museum is located on the first floor of the Palazzo Pubblico, which was once the seat of government. This palace is located in the city's central square, Piazza del Campo, near Siena Cathedral. In the museum, you can learn about the history of the city and see the main works of art from different periods. From its terrace, you can also enjoy a beautiful view of Siena.

The Civic Museum was designed in 1930 and among the most characteristic works are Simone Martini's Madonna and Child and Lorenzetti's Allegories and Effects of Good and Bad Government, frescoes that compare a well-governed city with a poorly governed one.

Inside the Civic Museum, you can find characteristic exhibitions from the Golden Age and works by renowned artists such as Simone Martini, Duccio di Buoninsegna, Beccafumi and Aretino, among others.

The Palazzo Pubblico, built between 1282 and 1310, is one of the most representative and elegant buildings in Siena. Its tower is the famous Torre del Mangia, one of the tallest buildings in Siena (88 metres), which you can climb via a staircase to enjoy one of the most beautiful views of the city. Don't miss these illuminated buildings if you visit Siena at night.

More information

• Entrance fee: around €10 per person.
• Opening hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from November to 15 March. The rest of the year from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Location: Piazza del Campo, Siena, IT 53100.

The Torture Museum contains around 100 instruments of torture and execution used by mankind throughout the 16th to 20th centuries. Among the most terrifying exhibits are the chastity belt, the inquisitorial chair, the guillotine and the Virgin of Nuremberg.

One of the most terrifying instruments on display is the rack, a wooden bed on which people were tortured by pulling on their limbs. But you can also see lesser-known instruments in this museum, such as the Piffero del Baccanaro and the ragni spagnoli.

Another terrifying exhibit you can see in this museum is the chastity belt, used by husbands to prevent their wives from being raped during their absence, and also to prevent them from being unfaithful.

The museum was actually designed to raise awareness about human cruelty and the importance of respecting differences between cultures and beliefs. If you are not too easily shocked, you can learn a lot about the worst side of humanity by visiting the exhibits in this museum.

More information

• Admission fee: around €10 per person, with discounts for groups.
• Opening hours: every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. In winter, only Saturdays and Sundays have reduced winter hours.
• Location: Chiasso del Bargello, Presso Piazza del Campo, Siena, IT 53100.

The National Etruscan Archaeological Museum of Siena is also located in Piazza Duomo, where the old hospital of Santa Maria della Scala once stood. Here you can see ancient archaeological remains found in the region, some of which date back to the Bronze Age. It was inaugurated in 1933.

It is located in underground rooms dating back to the 16th century. There you can see archaeological remains such as tombs, sarcophagi and other Roman artefacts from the 3rd and 4th centuries. It also houses private collections, such as those of Mieli, Petrucci and also from the Municipal Library and the Physiocratic Academy.

One of the most outstanding works you can see in this museum are the 13 alabaster urns, but you can also see important pieces of bronze, mosaics, ceramics and statues. It is a museum where you can learn about the history of Siena and the region since ancient times.

More information

• Admission fee: around €9 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Tuesdays when it is closed. On Thursdays, it is open until 10 p.m. Reduced opening hours in winter.
• Location: Piazza Duomo, Complesso di S. Maria della Scala 2 – Siena.

At the Water Museum in Siena, you can learn about the aqueduct systems, springs, and different artefacts from the period and the city, as well as the history and geology of Siena and the region. It is located next to the Pescaia Fountain and was inaugurated in 2010.

With your ticket, you can see this fountain, the bottini, multimedia exhibitions, and also listen to some testimonies from the city's elders. The bottini are a system of underground aqueducts that still feed the city's ancient fountains today. They cover a total of 25 kilometres and have been in operation since Etruscan times.

This museum also has a room called the Water Collection Room, where you can learn about the history of the bottini and their fountains. Siena does not have a river, which is why it resorted to a system of tunnels to transport groundwater to the fountains and distribute it throughout the city. If you visit Siena in two days, you can also visit the Fontebranda fountain, the oldest in the city.

More information

• Ticket price: around €10 per person. It is advisable to book your ticket in advance as only 15 people are allowed in at a time.
• Opening hours: October to May: Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 9.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. June to September: Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and from 4.30 p.m. to 7 p.m.
• Location: Str. Fonti di Pescaia, 54, 53100 Siena SI, Italy.

The National Art Gallery of Siena houses paintings belonging to the Sienese school of art, from the medieval period and earlier. Its most important collection is that of 14th- and 15th-century paintings on wood with gold backgrounds.

The Art Gallery is located in two palaces next to each other, the Palazzo Buonsignori and the Palazzo Brigidi. The exhibits are organised in chronological order on the different levels of the museum.

Some of the most renowned works in this museum are La Piccola Maestà and The Annunciation by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, as well as Duccio's Madonna. During your visit, you will be able to see works by prominent artists such as Simone Martini, Pietro, Giovanni di Paolo, Sassetta, Matteo di Giovanni and Francesco di Giorgio Martini, among others.

More information

• Admission fee: around €6 for adults. Guided tours (in Italian) must be booked in advance on the Pinacoteca website.
• Opening hours: Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sundays and public holidays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Reduced hours in winter. Free on the first Sunday of the month.
• Location: Via San Pietro 29 – 53100 Siena.

The Children's Art Museum has been located in the Santa Maria della Scala museum complex since 2007. It organises events, workshops, games and artistic activities for children and teenagers, making it perfect if you are visiting Siena with children. It was inaugurated in 1998.

The main objective of this museum is to bring children closer to art while they have fun with their family, friends or school groups. There, they can participate in role-playing games, creative workshops, and learn through group play.

In addition, the museum has special exhibitions for children, including paintings, sculptures, videos, and photographs, organised in an educational manner. One of its most notable rooms is the San Leopoldo, which features works related to childhood and also hosts many learning activities and educational games.

Further information

• Admission: admission to the complex is free for children under 11 and costs around €9 for adults.

• Opening hours: from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. from 15 March to 15 October, except on Thursdays when it is open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. The rest of the year: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Closed on Tuesdays.

• Location: Piazza del Duomo 1, Siena, IT 53100.

The Accademia dei Fisiocritici Natural History Museum is one of the best museums in the Tuscany region. It is housed in a building that formerly served as a Camaldolese monastery. The museum exhibits natural finds made in the region over two centuries, as well as donations.

The museum is notable for its anatomy section, dedicated to Paolo Mascagni, an anatomist who made important discoveries, including a tissue preservation technique using mercury.

Another section is zoology, which displays various stuffed animals, skeletons and insects. The geology section exhibits minerals, rocks and fossilised remains of various animals. Finally, the botany section contains numerous exhibits, such as terracotta fungi and lichen herbariums.

More information

• Admission fee: around €6 per person.
• Opening hours: Monday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., Saturday from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Closed on Sundays.
• Location: Piazzetta Silvio Gigli, 2 53100 Siena.