While in Siena on Saturday, Hafiza and I also visited the Santuario di Santa Caterina and the museo archeologico inside S. Maria della Scala. If you first pay to enter the exhibit “Nel segno di Ingres” nearby, you will receive a ridotto (reduced) price ticket to enter this building.
Santa Maria della Scalla was one of the first hospitals in Europe. A cobbler named Sorore who died in 898 is its mythical founder. The hospital was not only an important economic resource for Siena, but also became one of the city’s most important centers for art. It remained a working hospital until only some years ago when the restoration project began and has been used for various exhibits since then. It is an impressive building.
The art inside was not particularly moving, although I did rather enjoy the fresco of several babies climbing up a ladder that was leaning against an archway in a church. Above the arch was a fresco of a mother that appeared to come to life so she could welcome these babies.
The museo archeologico has been set up in the labyrinths underneath the chapels in Santa Maria della Scala. This is where I took the photos you see. One hallway housed many old stone urns. They were rather funny reclining/half-seated figures on the lids, many with large heads. I enjoyed the twists and turns in the tunnels. And the second image of a vase – well, I not only liked the arrogant figure depicted, but also the shadow shapes around the vase. I hope you do as well.
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