Palazzo Chigi-Saracini, Gothic palace in Via di Città, Siena, Italy
Palazzo Chigi-Saracini is a Gothic palace on Via di Città distinguished by its curved facade and characteristic trefoil windows. The building combines medieval Gothic elements with an internal courtyard at the rear that reflects the design principles of medieval Italian architecture.
The Marescotti family built this palace in the 12th century as a medieval residence. The family's eagle emblem remains visible on the trefoil windows of the facade to this day.
The palace houses a music academy that has been active since 1932, hosting regular concerts and performances you can attend during your visit. This institution shapes the cultural life of the area and draws music students and performers from around the world.
You can enter the interior only through scheduled guided tours that require advance booking via email or phone. Plan for about an hour to explore the entire building.
The palace holds one of the oldest surviving harpsichords in Europe, a collection that draws music historians and instrument enthusiasts. This rare piece offers insight into how musical instruments evolved over centuries.
Location: Siena
Architects: Arturo Viligiardi
Address: Via di Città, 89, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
GPS coordinates: 43.31708,11.33090
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:43
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, stands on one of the highest points. From the top of Torre del Mangia, the city spreads out in all directions, with its terracotta rooftops and surrounding hills visible. Gothic and Renaissance architecture appears throughout the streets, in the form of palaces, churches, fountains and loggias. The Palazzo Pubblico contains frescoes and civic art, while the Pinacoteca Nazionale displays paintings from the Sienese School. The Biblioteca Piccolomini holds illuminated manuscripts. The Basilica of San Domenico rises on a hill, offering views across the rooftops. The Fortezza Medicea and the university botanical garden provide additional perspectives on the city and its landscape. Beyond the center, the Etruscan necropolis at Malignano, Villa di Geggiano with its gardens, and the Chianti sculpture park add to the range of places to explore.
The cultural monuments and institutions of Tuscany include the cathedrals, museums, squares, and architectural sites of Florence, Pisa, and Siena. The region features medieval buildings like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, major museums such as the Uffizi Gallery, and historic squares like the Piazza del Campo in Siena. Religious buildings include the Cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence and the Cathedral of Siena with their distinctive architectures.
Piazza del Campo
154 m
Torre del Mangia
172 m
Palazzo Pubblico
134 m
Fonte Gaia
175 m
Museo dell'Opera Metropolitana del Duomo
115 m
Cathedral - Crypt
160 m
Campanile of the Cathedral of Siena
158 m
Cappella di Piazza
167 m
Palazzo delle papesse, centro arte contemporanea
26 m
Palazzo Reale
122 m
Museo Civico
158 m
Palazzo del Magnifico
151 m
Teatro Comunale dei Rinnovati
162 m
Palazzo Patrizi
56 m
Palazzo del Capitano del Popolo
123 m
Palazzo Buonsignori
155 m
Palazzo Chigi alla Postierla
127 m
Opera delle Metropolitana
123 m
Palazzo Bindi Sergardi
168 m
Historic Centre of Siena
182 m
San Giovanni Battista (Siena)
32 m
Torre delle Sette Seghinelle
149 m
Torre dei Forteguerri
117 m
San Niccolò in Sasso
101 m
Palazzo Marsili-Libelli
69 m
Palazzo Marsili
56 m
Palazzo Bardi alla Postierla
111 m
Basilica Sotterranea (Cripta del Duomo)
158 mReviews
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