The complex of Santa Maria della Scala, the former once one of the largest hospitals in Europe, located on the Via Francigena directly opposite the majestic Cathedral of Siena. Today, the building turned into the most important and largest museum complex of the city, which exhibits interesting works of art.

Former Hospital of Santa Maria della Scala was one of the first in Europe sample institutions, fully dedicated to the reception of pilgrims and pilgrims, which also provides assistance to the poor and gave shelter to destitute children. Initially the hospital management by the members of the religious community, held in the Cathedral, and later it was transferred to the municipality of Siena. Thanks to generous donations from the wealthy residents of the institution was soon to play a very important role in the social life of the commune. Under the authority of the administration of the hospital there were a lot of different plots of land and property throughout the city. No less important role he played in the cultural life of Siena - worked in this building many famous artists, including Simone Martini, who wrote a great cycle of frescoes depicting scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary, and Ambrogio Lorenzetti Pietro and Sebastiano Conca.

Today the complex of Santa Maria della Scala, some parts of which are under restoration, is one of the most important museum complexes in the city. It consists of several independent museums that occupy four floors - three of them are open to the public.

The main section of the hospital is called "Pellegrinayo" or Hall of pilgrims - it is located on the 4th floor is a large room, completely painted with frescoes that depict scenes from the history of the hospital. Blame belongs frescoes by Domenico di Bartolo, and Lorenzo Vekkietta priyam della Quercia. On the same level it is built in the 13th century church of Santissima Annunziata, which is stored inside a magnificent bronze statue of the Risen Christ, the work of Lorenzo Vekkietta, Old Sacristy, Palazzo Skvarchalupi, chapel and chapel of the Madonna Mantel.

On the third floor of the Santa Maria della Scala is so called Kortichella - a small patio, where you can see a medieval barn with real marble fountain Fonte Gaia (copy decorates the main square of Siena's Piazza del Campo) works Jacopo della Quercia. There is also a chapel of St. Catherine and historical premises, in which met the Society charitable instruction execution.

The first floor of the hospital takes the Archaeological Museum, whose collections are exhibited along the impressive tunnels dug into the tuff. In addition, the complex includes a library with an extensive photo library Briganti, Children's Museum of Art and Contemporary Arts Center. Also present in this "city within a city" regularly hosts exhibitions, conferences and diverse cultural events.