Piazza Salimbeni
Italy
The first stop on the walking tour of Siena is a bank that has its headquarters in this square - the oldest surviving bank in the world. It's called Monte dei Paschi di Siena and it has been running continuously since 1472. Your guide will explain how Siena's wealth through the centuries came from being on the pilgrim route known as the Via Francigena, a route that led pilgrims between Rome and Northern Europe. Siena prospered as a banking town by lending money and exchanging money for the merchants who were using the pilgrim route as a safe travel route. The Sienese are still wealthy from their banking past and are still famous for their banks today!
Contents
8 sections · tap a section for its opening lines1Orientation
Welcome to Piazza Salimbeni, a space that serves as a profound intersection of financial history, architectural revival, and Sienese identity. As you stand in the center of this triangular clearing along the bustling Via Banchi…
Listen in the app2The Monument to Sallustio Bandini
At the very heart of the square stands the statue of Sallustio Bandini, a figure who might seem like an unlikely hero for such a grand monument. Sculpted by Tito Sarrocchi in 1882, the statue commemorates a man who was both a…
Listen in the app3Palazzo Salimbeni — The Gothic Fortress
Dominating the rear of the square is the namesake of this space, the Palazzo Salimbeni. Originally a castellare belonging to the Salimbeni family, this building is a fascinating example of how medieval defense architecture…
Listen in the app4Palazzo Spannocchi — Renaissance Elegance
To your right, if you are facing the Palazzo Salimbeni, stands the Palazzo Spannocchi. Built in 1473, this building represents a shift in architectural taste and political climate. …
Listen in the app5Palazzo Tantucci — Manierist Sophistication
On the left side of the square stands the Palazzo Tantucci, the youngest of the three main structures, though its history is no less significant. Built in 1548, it was designed by Bartolomeo Neroni, a multi-talented artist and…
Listen in the app6The Evolution of Monte dei Paschi
The story of this square is inseparable from the story of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena, an institution that has shaped the city's destiny for over five centuries. Founded in 1472 as a Monte di Pieta, its original mission was a…
Listen in the app7Giuseppe Partini and Sienese Purism
To truly appreciate Piazza Salimbeni, one must understand the man who gave it its current form: Giuseppe Partini. A native of Siena, Partini was the city's most influential architect in the late nineteenth century. …
Listen in the app8Closing
As we conclude our exploration of Piazza Salimbeni, I hope you carry with you a deeper appreciation for the complex layers of history that define this remarkable space. This square is more than just a collection of beautiful…
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What is Piazza Salimbeni?
Piazza Salimbeni is a place in Italy with 8 story sections on Tellby. You can read the opening of each section on this page; the sound plays in the app.
| Location | Italy |
|---|---|
| Type | Heritage |
| Story sections | 8 |
| Text language | English |
| Coordinates | 43.3213, 11.3308 |
| Last updated |
