Piccolomini Library
Piccolomini Library features on the Gingerguide audio walk through Siena. Give it roughly ~30 min: enough to look, hear a two to three minute story on the spot, and ask the AI guide whatever the story leaves open.
- Type museum
- Suggested visit ~30 min
- Siena Siena guide
About Piccolomini Library
Accessed from the Cathedral's left nave, the Piccolomini Library (1502–07) contains ten brilliantly preserved frescoes by Pinturicchio depicting the life of Pope Pius II, among the finest examples of Renaissance fresco painting in Tuscany.
The Piccolomini Library is a small but dazzlingly decorated room within Siena Cathedral, accessible through a doorway in the left nave. It was commissioned in 1492 by Cardinal Francesco Todeschini Piccolomini, nephew of Pope Pius II and himself briefly Pope Pius III in 1503, to house the library of his famous uncle and to celebrate the Piccolomini family's extraordinary papal dynasty. The decoration was entrusted to Pinturicchio (Bernardino di Betto), who painted the ten narrative fresco panels between 1502 and 1507.
The frescoes depict ten episodes from the life of Enea Silvio Piccolomini (Pope Pius II, 1405–1464): from his early life as a humanist scholar and diplomat, through his election as Pope in 1458, to his death at Ancona in 1464 while preparing a Crusade. The colours, sky blue, vermilion, emerald green, are extraordinarily vivid. The room also contains a Roman marble group of the Three Graces (first century BC or AD), a work admired by both Raphael and Michelangelo.
Did you know? The Piccolomini Library was commissioned by Cardinal Francesco Piccolomini, who became Pope Pius III in 1503, but his pontificate lasted only 26 days, making him one of the shortest-reigning popes in history. He died before seeing Pinturicchio's frescoes completed.
How long is a visit to Piccolomini Library?
Set aside roughly ~30 min for Piccolomini Library. That covers a good look and the narrated story, and because you set the pace you can always stay on.
Is Piccolomini Library worth your time?
Piccolomini Library is among the 20 narrated highlights the Gingerguide team chose for Siena, so it is worth a look. Hear the story for the context, then ask the AI guide for anything more.
Nearby stops in Siena
Hear the story of Piccolomini Library
Preview the Siena tour free in the Gingerguide app.