The National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum

The National Archaeological Museum is located in the Piazza del Duomo. Home to an endless array of incredible works of art and piece of history, the museum is inside the ancient Santa Maria della Scala Hospital and includes relics and ruins found in archaeological sites across Siena and its provinces.

Opened in 1933 by Ranuccio Bianchi Bandinelli, it was originally an exhibition of Etruscan ruins belonging to private and public collections. However, as time passed, the museum became an archaeological museum covering a wider historical period.

The National Archaeological Museum of Siena is divided into two main sections:

- The Topographic Section: this section covers ruins found in the various Sienese zones. These include a 3rd century Roman sarcophagus found in the city of Siena itself, an exhibition of vases and ceramics from the Montepulciano area, the Tomb of Ziro from the province of Chuisi, an ancient Attic Vase from Moteriggioni, and alabaster vases found in the Sarteano region.

- The Antiquaries: this section is made up of private and public collections that include relics that date back as far as the Bronze and Roman Ages.

Easily one of Tuscany’s most significant museums, the National Archaeological Museum is a must for anyone who wants to admire the history of Italy, as well as the civilisations that helped shape it and make it great.