SOCIAL PROGRAM ::
TOUR ITINERARY 1
Guided visit to the museum of Santa Maria della Scala and to the Cathedral
Meeting at 9:30am in front of Santa Maria della Scala, we will visit the large museum complex, which was built in the 11th century as a "xenodochium", a building offering hospitality to pilgrims travelling along the via Francigena to and from Rome. The building also accepted foundlings that had been abandoned by their mothers. This extremely important activity is clearly represented in some of the frescoes present in the hall of the pilgrims, an activity that continued until very recent times. From the 12th century, Santa Maria della Scala also became a hospital for the sick, a role that continued until 1996 when it was transformed into a museum complex, welcoming tourists to visit its art collections, and congress delegates to experience its particularly atmospheric surroundings. We will visit the underground galleries, which hold the archeological museum, interesting for the original vaulted architecture and brick flooring which are all the more remarkable for the accidental way in which they were rediscovered. We will also have the opportunity of visiting the Cathedral, which during the months of September and October will be uncovering the uniquely beautiful inlaid marble floors. The flooring is made up of 56 polychromic marble scenes covering the enture pavement of the cathedral and is unlike anything else in the world. Only in these two months is the floor uncovered in its entirety to protect it from the effects of visitors in the rest of the year. Inside we will also visit the Piccolomini Library, with frescoes by Pinturicchio from the 16th century. These frescoes show scenes from the life of Pius II and have never required restoration, thus allowing us to see the original colours that have never been "retouched". We will also visit the pulpit of Nicola and Giovanni Pisano, one of the masterpieces of Italian sculpture from the second half of the 13th century. In this pulpit we will be able to appreciate the richness of detail, the emotions pervading every scene and the perfection of the ensemble. This was the first time that this father and son worked together, leaving us this extraordinary masterpiece. The tour will then continue to the museum of the Opera della Metropolitana, where we will be able to see the famous Maesta' the masterpiece of Duccio di Buoninsegna, the Siensese painter who studied in the school of Cimabue, and who worked alongside the Maestro of Giotto. The details of this painting will be explained, to facilitate its interpretation and to better allow us to appreciate its beauty and importance. After seeing the Maesta' we will climb the 180 steps to the top of the "Facciatone", which was supposed to become the immense façade of the new cathedral, left unfinished following the arrival of the Black Death (bubonic plague) in 1348. From this vantage point we will be able to admire one of the most beautiful panoramas of Siena. The tour will conclude in Piazza del Campo, the heart of Siena, where twice a year (2nd July and 16th August) the famous Palio horserace is run. We will be able to appreciate what the race means for the people of Siena, and how the whole city prepares throughout the year for these two important events. This stunning piazza, shaped like a shell and surrounded by palaces that follow its outline is like nothing else on earth. The guide will also explain the principal palaces of the piazza, as well as the important monuments such as the Gaia fountain, the Mangia tower and the Chapel of the Piazza.
Meeting Point: 9:30am in front of Santa Maria della Scala.
Duration of Tour: 3 hours
Cost per Person: €24,00 (including entrance tickets to the Cathedral and Museum).