Santa Maria della Scala

Unforgettable museum experience, never want to repeat that again. Many of the Google reviews incorrectly reference photos and information for the cathedral and library across the street, which is not at all related to the Santa Maria della Scala.

Less than 20 people were in the museum when we entered around 1630 on a Thursday. The ticket checker suggested we download an Android/iOS audio guide app for the museum, which seems impractical when the museum doesn’t provide WiFi. After entering there is little to “guide” you through the museum. The level you start on is fairly barren, the first room on your right and the big room with the frescos are really all you should bother seeing. The museum had several “temporary” exhibits which were modern era art projects, which seemed like they were expressly designed to ride the coattails of the primary exhibit. Downstairs there is an architectural display and altar with some religious relics. The Downstairs was equally baren with long hallways leading to empty rooms, and even a random dead end. Overall the museum seemed very confused with what they wanted to showcase and left you lost. We paid €9/ea for a ticket, but I’d value the experience around €3 given a ticket for the stunning cathedral and library across the street is €5.

A beautiful cathedral with a fairly fast, moving line to purchase tickets and enter the building. Be sure to see the library portion of the cathedral. It’s very interesting and quite beautiful.

A warren-like museum with so much to see. We came for the hall of frescoes about life at the former hospital. These were beautiful and interesting. We also found art exhibitions that were arranged through different parts of the building in an almost organic way. The information in Italian and English was good.

Art is beautiful.
But WORST unfriendly stuff ever in my italy travel in past 2 weeks.

They never recommend combined ticket at all. And NO any information or sigh about it.
Museums in Florence are extremely informative and sophisticated to guide line.

I will never visit Sienna.
Women stuff are so busy to have conversations. They don’t even think to help tourist.

Museum with a mixture of contemporary art (that is currently a horse exposition), excavations from the Bronze Age in the part of the Archeological Museum, as well as religious artefacts. You can spend well between 2-3 hours in the museum as there are three floors you can visit. You will learn a lot about the history of Siena. Unfortunately, there were no audio guides, that would have given a better background. The sign at the counter was also very confusing as it falsely states you cannot buy tickets inside the building. The staff looked completely uninterested and were as unhelpful as possible. They watched us leave and spend 30 minutes looking for tickets outside... Overall, the museum is worth a visit and an especially good idea for a rainy day.

This museum was one of the highlights of Siena for me. Entering a complex so full of history, there is so much to see! Every of the three levels is stunning, and you get a superb feel of the hospital that once was. The exposition of the original Fonte Gaia is made so interesting by comparing it with the model and the later copy. And finally the exposition on the history gives you a final touch of the broad history of Siena. This is a must do!

This museum was a joy to walk around and is located near the inner city of Siena. The entry fee is fairly cheap and cost about $20 for two people. There are a lot of different pieces of art to see in this museum. The lower two levels are very big and you will be walking around for a while to check out all of it. Highly recommend this place. It is located right across the street from the Duomo.