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SIENA
Piazza S. Francesco
Continuing along Via Rossi, we enter the Piazza San Francesco, where we find the Basilica San Francesco and the Oratory of San Bernardino. The construction of the Basilica began in 1326 and ended in 1475. Restorations were carried out in the 17th and 19th centuries.
The interior is of notable interest. It contains a single extremely wide nave in the shape of an Egyptian cross. The large four-sided apse measures 14 meters in length. In the chapel we find a crucifixion and various frescoes by Pietro and Ambrogio Lorenzetti. On the counter-faÁade there are still traces of frescoes made by Sodoma di Sassatta. To the right of the Basilica, in the spot where the saint habitually prayed, is the Oratory of San Bernardo, which was erected in the 13th century. This is actually two oratories, one on top of the other.
The lower one is decorated with works from the 1600's by Salimbeni and by Manetti. The upper one contains famous frescoes by Sodoma (The Presentation of Maria to the Temple, The Assumption, San Francesco and others), as well as works by Beccafumi and Pacchia.
Piccolomini Palace
Descending from Piazza Del Campo we arrive at the Villa Banchi di Sotto, where it intersects Via Rinaldini, almost immediately in front of the Piccolomini Palace, a Renaissance building originating in 1469. Its design has been attributed to Bernardo Rossellino.
The fade is impressive, with two rows of double-arched windows on the upper level, surmounted by an elegant cornice. Inside the Palace is the headquarters of the State Archives, where interesting documents are preserved. Among these are the Statutes of the Republic and the pact for the alliance between Farinata Degli Uberti and the Ghibellines. In the museum there is an interesting collection of the Tables of Bicchierna, used for covering financial administration ledgers of the government and of the Gabbella.
Basilica of S. Maria dei Servi
Traveling along the Via del Porrione, Via S. Martino and Via dei Servi, we arrive at the Basilica of S. Maria dei Servi, from the 13th century. Before going inside, having walked up the stairs to the entrance, we can admire a beautiful panorama of the city.
Although the fade of the church is rough, the interior is in Renaissance and Gothic style. Among the works conserved in the church that one should see are The Madonna with Child by Coppo di Marcoveldo, The Murder of the Innocents by Lorenzetti, and The Madonna of the People by Memmi.
Church of S. Domenico
This church is located just beyond the stadium, at the beginning of the park that encloses the Medici Fortress of S. Barbara. In Gothic style, it was designed and enlarged between 1226 and 1465. It was restored in 1531, after a fire, by Domenico Cinquini. The interior, a single nave in the shape of an Egyptian cross, reflects the imposing and simple exterior. In the Chapel of S. Catarina, on the right wall, we can see frescoes by Sodoma and wall paintings in oils by Francesco Vanni. In the vaulted chapel just to the right of the entrance is the portrait of Santa Catarina by Andrea Vanni. On the altar, in the tabernacle made in the 1400's by De Stefano, is a reliquary of S. Catherine. On the fourth altar to the left, there is a fresco by Lorenzetti. Outside, to the left of the faÁade, is the cloister of San Domenico, from 1452. On its left is the bell tower of 1340, disassembled in the 18th century because it was too dangerous.
Sanctuary of S. Caterina
Descending from S. Domenico, we come to the Sanctuary of Saint Catherine, patron saint of Italy. Designed in 1464, and modeled after her home, this contains many works of art. In the upper oratory we find paintings illustrating the life of the saint by Fungai, Del Riccio, Tomarancio, Vanetti and Francesco Vanni. In the Oratory over the Crucifix are paintings by Manetti and Del Conca, while the frescoes are by Masini.
In the oratory of her chamber we find seven histories of the saint painted by Franchi in 1896 and The Stigmata of the Saint by Ghirolamo Benvenuto. Descending from the oratory of the "contrada" (section of town) we find other interesting paintings, including some by Sodoma and by Ghirolamo Pacchia.
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