Pinacoteca Nazionale, Art museum in central Siena, Italy
Description
The Pinacoteca Nazionale is an art museum in Siena housed across two medieval buildings: the Palazzo Brigidi and Palazzo Buonsignori, each featuring spacious rooms with decorated ceilings and detailed stonework. The museum holds an extensive collection of paintings from central Italy spanning the 13th through 18th centuries.
History
The museum opened in 1932 within the Palazzo Bichi-Buonsignori, a 15th-century building that retains its original architectural features. Over time, the collection expanded and additional spaces were added to display a growing number of works.
Culture
The collection showcases paintings from the Sienese school with their distinctive gold backgrounds, reflecting the artistic heritage of this Tuscan city. Visitors can trace how local artists developed their own style over centuries, separate from Florence's influence.
Practical
Both buildings are easily accessible on foot in the city center, with clear pathways between rooms and well-marked galleries. It helps to allow time to walk through the different floors and halls, as the collection is extensive.
Did you know?
During restoration work on the Palazzo Bichi-Buonsignori, workers found that the medieval facade was original and had been preserved all along, though many believed it was rebuilt in the 19th century. This discovery helped experts understand the building's true history.
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Siena is a Tuscan city built on three hills, where medieval streets wind between brick buildings and open onto piazzas. The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo hosts the Palio horse race twice a year and serves as the town's main gathering place. The Cathedral, with its black-and-white marble facade,...
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