Santa Maria della Scala

Something is deeply wrong here. I’ve never encountered a place like this before. From the moment you enter, a sense of disorientation takes hold. There are almost no signs, no maps, no clear path—just endless, dimly lit rooms that shift in theme from hospital corridors and Catholic relics to modern art, abandoned tunnels, snowmen, and a church that is most definitely haunted. Broken speakers hiss with static and ambient noise, sometimes giving way to slow, relentless drumming. The air feels heavy. We got lost—truly lost—and for a while, it felt like there was no way out. Staff were few, distant, and strangely indifferent. It felt less like a museum and more like a dream I couldn’t wake up from. 12/10. I’d go back. I think I have to.

We visited this place in July 2024 with a panoramic tour and stayed 1 hour there. Time was limited so i want to visit again if i have time🌾

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.

As art fans we were happy to learn about the new exhibition on Italian Art between 1915 and 1960 during our visit to Siena. However, the staffs at the ticket booth did not give us clear information about separate tickets for different institutions ("the museum" and "the pinacotecca") under the same roof. We bought tickets following the misleading information that we could visit both the temporary and permanent exhibitions, only to figure out later that these exhibitions were organized by separate institutions, thus we needed two tickets each. We decided not to buy another ticket since we did not want to deal with the ticket sales team again. The exhibition itself was not too bad. However, English translation of texts for each section would have been helpful for people who cannot use a translation app. Having worked at art museums myself, I could not understand why they set unnecessary hurdles for visitors who want to visit the exhibitions and are also ready to pay for them. They need to be more considerate about customer communication on many different levels.

I am not overly into religious artifacts or relics, so the entrance from the Duomo square left me unimpressed with several rooms of these. However, once you have marvelled at the fantastic frescos on the first floor, the secret is to keep working down. The place is about 18,000 square metres, and set over at least 3 floors, plus caves. In the lowest floor (you have to be willing to search to find the stairs down) there is an amazing Archaeological museum, that is worth the entrance price alone. Set in a series of rooms and carved out caves, the finds go from 11th Century BC through to the Etruscan society and into Roman and Medieval time. If you skim the museum, you miss the most important part. The entrance guide was very helpful but to be honest, it took ages to download the supporting audio app, which we soon gave up on, but stay with it and it is a hidden gem of a museum.

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!!!

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.

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!