Santa Maria della Scala
Museum · Siena ·

Santa Maria della Scala

Museum · Siena ·

Museum of art, history, and archaeology with 15th-century frescoes

medical history
archaeological museum
frescoes
historic building
art
multi-level complex
great value
etruscan artifacts
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null
Santa Maria della Scala by null

Information

Complesso museale Santa Maria della Scala, Piazza del Duomo, 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy Get directions

Restroom
Free Wi-Fi
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom

Information

Static Map

Complesso museale Santa Maria della Scala, Piazza del Duomo, 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy Get directions

+39 0577 228744
santamariadellascala.com
@santamariadellascala
𝕏
@smariascala

Features

•Restroom
•Free Wi-Fi
•Wheelchair accessible entrance
•Wheelchair accessible restroom

Last updated

Jan 21, 2026

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@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Frescoes and Medical History at Santa Maria della Scala Founded in the 9th century, Santa Maria della Scala was one of Europe’s first hospitals. It was also one of the first hospitals anywhere to disinfect its equipment and only stopped taking in patients in the 1980s. (The writer Italo Calvino died here in 1961.) The early history of the hospital is illustrated in the 15th-century frescoes decorating the walls of the Pilgrim’s Hall, and there is a fascinating archaeological museum housed in the labyrinthine basement rooms."

Art and Architecture in Tuscany
Santa Maria della Scala
@afar
25,132 Postcards · 3,702 Cities

"Frescoes and Medical History at Santa Maria della Scala Founded in the 9th century, Santa Maria della Scala was one of Europe’s first hospitals. It was also one of the first hospitals anywhere to disinfect its equipment and only stopped taking in patients in the 1980s. (The writer Italo Calvino died here in 1961.) The early history of the hospital is illustrated in the 15th-century frescoes decorating the walls of the Pilgrim’s Hall, and there is a fascinating archaeological museum housed in the labyrinthine basement rooms."

The Best of Siena
Santa Maria della Scala
@suitcasemag
1,876 Postcards · 166 Cities
What to Do in Siena, Italy
Santa Maria della Scala

roberta S.

Google
Oct 8 2025. Wow. Wish I had more than 1.5 hours here. Could easily return to Siena and return here to find something new or to re-enjoy. Beautiful artwork displays, interpretive and historical displays of all types. So much of Siena’s history here that I went to re-visit some of its sites with a new perspective. Amazing value for the admission price - much less than other places visited in Italy. Purchased ticket at door and did self tour. Layout of floors was tricky at first to navigate but I figured it out eventually. Staff was helpful with audio guide as it was slow to download. Was not busy at all and it was nice to have time to read and appreciate the displays without a crowd.

Peta B.

Google
This place is amazing! Such great value for only 7 euros (October 2025). Plan to spend quite a few hours here as there are so many levels, and like most other places I Italy, the further underground you go, the further back on history you go - all the way to the Etruscan times.

Al B

Google
Loved it!! Mosaics on the floor are priceless, the library is astonishing, as well as all the paintings. A true architectural gem. One of the best cathedral i ever seen. Truly amazing!

Ilan C.

Google
One of the most spectacular museums we've been to in Italy. The wall frescos are remarkable and the archeological museum underground is an enchanting experience with a seemingly endless maze of discoveries.

Alan B.

Google
The best 7 euros i have spent, this place is like the tardis we could have spent days here. What a highlight of our trip

Guilherme F.

Google
Beautiful place, lots of paintings, sculptures and architectural pieces to see. I'd just like a little more guides as to how best to visit it, where to go, where to start. Most of the time we were simply lost there, just looking at everything and hoping for the best.

Richard E.

Google
A rather odd museum which is still a work in progress and, you feel, is the result of trying to find a use for what should be a fascinating building. The building was an old hospital from medieval times until the late twentieth century, built on and into the side of the hill that the cathedral is on. It is huge and, as a result of its situation, you go in and then descend a further three floors. Because of its size the various collections rather rattle around in there, and you tend to come across them rather unexpectedly - and they are a bit of an odd mixture. Also, the poor signage not only keeps you guessing as to what you’ll find, but also lacks signs pointing towards the exit which, given the labyrinthine nature of the building, is a bit disconcerting. All this being said, there’s a lot of interest here, and the building itself is full of atmosphere, so I would certainly recommend visiting as long as you have the time and you understand what you’re heading into.

Magda D.

Google
Excellent tour of the Siena underground!!!!This apparently was the worlds oldest hospital. It has so much to see. Absolutely beautiful experience and a fantastic way to cool down mid day it’s it’s very hot- which it was. We spent about 2 hours here but we all wanted to see more. Lots lots of history! Etruscan and Roman artifacts. Beautiful!!!
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Chris L.

Yelp
An amazing example of form and function combined with art. The original hospital of Siena in use for hundreds of years and continually added to. Finally shuttered in 1995. Filled with art and galleries and churches and and and...amazing multi level complex that is a walk through the history of Siena. Don't miss out on this museum when you go to Siena.