The Passeggio

On August 17, 1379, the hospital’s records reveal a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of Santa Maria della Scala: a Pellegrinaio, or Pilgrims’ Hall, already existed — and plans were in place to double it by creating an identical adjoining space. For centuries, this vast, sunlit hall served as the heart of the hospital — a place of gathering and passage, accessible directly from the Cappella del Manto. Lining the Passeggio were the various hospital infirmaries — San Pio, San Leopoldo, San Giuseppe, and San Carlo Alberto — now transformed into exhibition spaces that still speak of their past through the echoes of quiet care and devotion. At the center of it all, the Pellegrinaio stood as a symbol of hospitality, healing, and faith, welcoming the sick, the poor, and the wandering pilgrim. Today, as visitors walk along the Passeggio, they encounter treasures of medieval Sienese art: two elegant statues once gracing the Chapel of the Piazza del Campo — Saint Thomas, sculpted by Mariano di Angelo Romanelli, and Saint Bartholomew, by Lando di Stefano. Both artists were active in Siena in the second half of the 14th century, their works infused with a deep sense of spirituality and craftsmanship. Dominating the space is a striking masterpiece: The Massacre of the Innocents by Matteo di Giovanni, painted in 1482 for the Church of Sant’Agostino. This dramatic and emotionally charged painting found its new home at Santa Maria della Scala in 2006, adding another chapter to the long and layered history of this remarkable place.