The Palazzo Piccolomini is a historical building with its main entrance in the Banchi di Sotto in Siena. One side of the palace runs along the Via Rinaldini, which connects this street to the Piazza del Campo. It is the current seat of the State Archives, which house the famous painted panels known as Tavolette della Biccherna.
A brief history of the Palazzo Piccolomini in Siena
The Palazzo Piccolomini is one of a group of imposing fortified buildings in this area that were called castellari. Construction of the building started around the mid-15th century. The architect was Bernardo Gambarelli, who was better known under the name Rossellino. Rossellino is best known for his reconstruction of the entire Tuscan town of Pienza for Pope Pius II. It is not a coincidence, that Giacomo and Andrea Piccolomini, who commissioned construction of the building, ended up with Rossellini, since they were nephews of the Pope.
State Archives
The most famous part of the State Archives of Siena is a collection of 103 painted panels and 2 canvas paintings. This collection is known as the Museo delle Tavolette della Biccherna (“Museum of the Panels of the Biccherna”). The Biccherna was the Republic of Siena‘s magistrate of finance from the 12th century to 1786. The panels were used to cover the tax registers of the Biccherna, of Santa Maria della Scala and of the Municipality itself. It the mid 13th century, the Biccherna started having the panels painted, and the other financial magistratures soon followed. The first ones were painted by Gilio di Pietro, a monk of San Galgano.
Via Rinaldini
The Via Rinaldini connects the Piazza del Campo to the Via dei Banchi di Sotto. The right part of the street is taken up by the Palazzo Piccolomini. From one end of the street, you are facing the Palazzo del Rettorato, seat of the University. From the other end, you are presented with a view of the Torre del Mangia.
What to know before you go
Address: Banchi di Sotto, 52 – Siena. Phone: (+39) 0577 247145. A visit to the State Archives is free. The hours are 09:30, 10:30 and 11:30, every day, except Sundays. (Since times may be subject to change, it is recommended to call before your visit.)
Via dei Banchi di Sotto, 52 – Siena
Sources
- Siena – History and Masterpieces (Piero Torriti, 2000).
- Official website of the Siena State Archives.
- The photos of the “Tavolette della Biccherna” are in the public domain. All other photos are ©RenatoProsciutto.