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#Storiedalmuseo - Did you know that an ancient reliquary is on display at Santa Maria della Scala?
With a donation contract signed on 28 May 1359 in Venice, the hospital purchased from the Florentine merchant Pietro di Giunta Torrigiani a precious collection of relics and reliquaries.
With a donation contract signed on 28 May 1359 in Venice, the hospital purchased from the Florentine merchant Pietro di Giunta Torrigiani a precious collection of relics and reliquaries.
#Storiedalmuseo- The story of the 4 ancient inscriptions
Four ancient inscriptions are embedded on the facade of Santa Maria della Scala that recount a significant part of the centuries-old Sienese institution.
Four ancient inscriptions are embedded on the facade of Santa Maria della Scala that recount a significant part of the centuries-old Sienese institution.
#StoriesFromTheMuseum- The relationship between Italo Calvino and Santa Maria della Scala
The poet's funeral took place in the Pellegrinaio hall of Santa Maria della Scala. The photo was taken by Augusto Mattioli.
The poet's funeral took place in the Pellegrinaio hall of Santa Maria della Scala. The photo was taken by Augusto Mattioli.
#Storiedalmuseo- The three gilded busts of Santa Maria della Scala
\nIn the Santa Maria della Scala in Siena there are three reliquary busts in chased and gilded copper, depicting Saint Anthony the Abbot, Saint Stephen and Saint Christina. Originally, these busts held the relics of the saints' heads. Made in the 15th century, these reliquaries were not only sacred objects, but true works of art, intended to express the prestige of the church and the hospital.
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In the Santa Maria della Scala in Siena there are three reliquary busts in chased and gilded copper, depicting Saint Anthony the Abbot, Saint Stephen and Saint Christina. Originally, these busts held the relics of the saints' heads. Made in the 15th century, these reliquaries were not only sacred objects, but true works of art, intended to express the prestige of the church and the hospital.
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#StoriesFromTheMuseum- Discovering the Arliquiera by Lorenzo di Pietro, called il Vecchietta
Nel 1445 fu realizzata da Lorenzo di Pietro detto il Vecchietta, l'Arliquiera, un armadio ligneo di circa due metri destinato a contenere le sacre reliquie del Santa Maria della Scala.
Nel 1445 fu realizzata da Lorenzo di Pietro detto il Vecchietta, l'Arliquiera, un armadio ligneo di circa due metri destinato a contenere le sacre reliquie del Santa Maria della Scala.
#Storiedalmuseo- The lost frescoes on the facade of Santa Maria della Scala
That which until then had been simply the side wall of the church was transformed into a true façade, though devoid of any external ornamentation. For that reason the decision was made to decorate it magnificently, so that it could rival the civic and artistic stature of the facing façade of the Duomo. The best Sienese painters of the period were called to fresco the façade, namely the brothers Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti, and Simone Martini probably also joined them, by then about to leave Siena for Avignon. They produced four “Stories of the Virgin”, now completely lost, datable to around 1335.
That which until then had been simply the side wall of the church was transformed into a true façade, though devoid of any external ornamentation. For that reason the decision was made to decorate it magnificently, so that it could rival the civic and artistic stature of the facing façade of the Duomo. The best Sienese painters of the period were called to fresco the façade, namely the brothers Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti, and Simone Martini probably also joined them, by then about to leave Siena for Avignon. They produced four “Stories of the Virgin”, now completely lost, datable to around 1335.
#MuseumStories- The Charnel House of Santa Maria della Scala
The cemetery where pilgrims and travelers who died at Santa Maria della Scala were buried is attested as early as the end of the 12th century. It was likely located in the area between the hospital and the Duomo.
The cemetery where pilgrims and travelers who died at Santa Maria della Scala were buried is attested as early as the end of the 12th century. It was likely located in the area between the hospital and the Duomo.