Santa Maria della Scala opens hidden historical spaces in Siena

The Santa Maria della Scala complex in Siena is opening 18,000 square meters of previously inaccessible areas to the public. Starting September 10, a new series of extraordinary tours titled “A porte chiuse. Dentro il Santa Maria della Scala” will allow visitors to explore parts of the historic site that have been closed for years.

Organized by the Fondazione Antico Ospedale Santa Maria della Scala in collaboration with the Municipality of Siena, the tours will take place every Tuesday and Thursday at 3:00 PM throughout September and October. The guided experience lasts approximately 75 minutes and costs 5 euros, with a maximum of ten people per group and mandatory reservations.

The route includes spaces not currently part of the standard museum circuit, such as the Rector's Palace, areas once used for patients, and a 16th-century staircase. These locations are part of a larger Masterplan aimed at the future recovery and transformation of the complex, which officially closed as a hospital in 1990.