Santa Maria della Scala, Siena

Santa Maria della Scala, located opposite Siena's Duomo, is one of Europe's oldest surviving hospitals, founded in the 9th century. For centuries, it provided care for pilgrims, the sick, and abandoned children. Today, it has been transformed into a vast museum complex that weaves together archaeology, sacred art, and frescoed spaces. Visitors can explore the Pellegrinaio, a grand hall with vivid frescoes depicting the hospital's history and daily life, and descend into the underground archaeological layers revealing Etruscan and Roman remains. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions and houses collections of sculptures, paintings, and religious artifacts. Its labyrinthine corridors, chapels, and courtyards offer a fascinating journey through Siena's social and cultural history.

Don't miss

• The Pellegrinaio frescoes by Domenico di Bartolo and others
• The archaeological excavations with Etruscan and Roman finds
• The Chapel of the Reliquary with its ornate silver altar
• The Oratory of Santa Caterina della Notte
• Temporary art exhibitions in the modern spaces

Tickets & tours

Ways to visit Santa Maria della Scala, Siena

Cheapest way inSiena Scavenger Hunt & Highlights Self-Guided Walking Tour4.1★ · 10 travelers~2 hoursFree cancellationFrom$6 per personSee dates →Best full dayTuscany Day Trip from Florence: Siena, San Gimignano, Pisa and Lunch at a Winery4.9★ · 23,193 travelers~12 hoursFree cancellationFrom$111 per personSee dates →Private & flexibleSanta Maria Novella: the Church, the Pharmacy, the Museum4.8★ · 10 travelers~3 hoursFree cancellationFrom$250 per personSee dates →