In the historic centre of Siena stands a striking and imposing building, set within a small, yet dramatic and towering piazza. Piazza and Palazzo Salimbeni date back to the fourteenth century but their current form is due to nineteenth century restoration. Neo-Gothic, or Gothic Revival in style, it is now home to one of Italy's principal banks as well as a rich art collection.
Though a bank may not naturally be at the top of your list while on holidays, this uniquely beautiful building and all that is inside are well worth a visit. Find a villa in Siena with internet and be sure to make the time to stop by.
Though a bank may not naturally be at the top of your list while on holidays, this uniquely beautiful building and all that is inside are well worth a visit. Find a villa in Siena with internet and be sure to make the time to stop by.
Piazza Salimbeni is a rectangular piazza formed by three buildings and has a statue of the archdeacon Sallustio Bandini, at the centre. Palazzo Salimbeni, the central building, however, is the dominant feature of the piazza.
The building to the right is the Palazzo Spannocchi, begun in the Renaissance style by Florentine architect, Giuliano da Maiano in 1470 but not completed until the façade was constructed in 1880 according to the designs of Giuseppe Partini.
To the left is Palazzo Cantucci, which was built in 1548 by Bartolomeo Neroni.
The building to the right is the Palazzo Spannocchi, begun in the Renaissance style by Florentine architect, Giuliano da Maiano in 1470 but not completed until the façade was constructed in 1880 according to the designs of Giuseppe Partini.
To the left is Palazzo Cantucci, which was built in 1548 by Bartolomeo Neroni.
Partini was the mastermind behind the 19th century redesign of the entire piazza and argued for a return to medieval and Renaissance forms in post-unification Italy. At the time, the piazza did not exist as it stands today, the Palazzo Salimbeni consisted only of a keep and gardens.
Partini was commissioned to create a new Renaissance piazza and demolished the gardens of the Palazzo Spannocchi to create the current layout. He also transformed and modernised the old keep which was the headquarters of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, one of the Italy's principal banks.
With origins going back to the fifteenth century, it still remains an important Sienese institution. It is also considered one of the oldest banks in the world.
The palazzo also houses the collection of the Monte dei Paschi who collected artefacts from all over and brought them to Siena. A major expansion of the collection began in the 1980s and space was specifically set aside and designed for a museum inside the headquarters. The collection includes works by Pietro Lorenzetti, Sassetta, Jacopo della Quercia, Domenico Beccafumi, Riccio, Rutilio Manetti, and Alessandro Franchi as well as Benvenuto di Giovanni's Fresco of Madonna della Misericordia and Bernardino Fungai's Fresco della Vergine and statues of St Bernardino, Caterina of Siena, Antonio and Maria Maddalena.
One of the grandest and most impressive spaces in the city, the piazza, palazzo and collection make for a wonderful outing in Siena.
Partini was commissioned to create a new Renaissance piazza and demolished the gardens of the Palazzo Spannocchi to create the current layout. He also transformed and modernised the old keep which was the headquarters of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, one of the Italy's principal banks.
With origins going back to the fifteenth century, it still remains an important Sienese institution. It is also considered one of the oldest banks in the world.
The palazzo also houses the collection of the Monte dei Paschi who collected artefacts from all over and brought them to Siena. A major expansion of the collection began in the 1980s and space was specifically set aside and designed for a museum inside the headquarters. The collection includes works by Pietro Lorenzetti, Sassetta, Jacopo della Quercia, Domenico Beccafumi, Riccio, Rutilio Manetti, and Alessandro Franchi as well as Benvenuto di Giovanni's Fresco of Madonna della Misericordia and Bernardino Fungai's Fresco della Vergine and statues of St Bernardino, Caterina of Siena, Antonio and Maria Maddalena.
One of the grandest and most impressive spaces in the city, the piazza, palazzo and collection make for a wonderful outing in Siena.
Photo credits
picture 1: Tango7174 / GFDL;
picture 2: LigaDue / CC BY-SA 3.0
picture 1: Tango7174 / GFDL;
picture 2: LigaDue / CC BY-SA 3.0
