This morning we had the chance to visit Siena’s City Hall (Palazzo Pubblico) and the City Archives as well.

In Palazzo Pubblico, we spoke about the structure, admired the view, and looked at the representations of the Allegories and Effects of Good and Bad Government in the remarkable fresco cycle by Ambrogio Lorenzetti (painted between 1338-1339.)

In the City Archives we saw the Biccherne tablets (a unique tradition in Siena’s artistic history) as well as records from the hospital of Santa Maria della Scala, other antique books, maps, and scrolls and other highlights from their collections.

Thanks to Fatlum Doci, current resident artist of the Fondazione Musei Senesi, for joining us for the trip and sharing his photos!

Of course a visit to the archives wouldn’t be complete without admiring the view from the balcony!