Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi / Places of worship in Siena

Overpowering vigor and austerity carved in stone

Overview of the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi

Just like the Baptistery of Saint John and the austere Basilica of San Domenico, the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi embodies the same contrast between the taciturn outside look and the artistic patrimony inside. You should not miss it out once in Terzo di San Martino. In fact, you can’t: it is simply too big to overlook, and the promise of the inner artistic highlights is all the more reason to plan a stop at this massive historical landmark of Siena, which makes room to a stunning combination of Romanesque lines, Renaissance tenets and dashing Gothic elements.

History of the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi

On the site now filled by the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi there used to be a former place of worship, a church dedicated to San Clemente, once the property of the Servite order (hence, the name of the present basilica). Built during the 13^th century, the basilica did not preserve its original look, being repeatedly rebuilt and restored. The 16^th century saw the church still undergoing restoration works.

Exterior of the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi

The plain brick facade is marked by two notable elements: a simple entrance and the rose window overtopping it (most likely, built after a former one, the traces of which are still visible). The adjoining bell tower, built in a Romanesque style, enhances the massiveness of the structure: unlike the church, it is fairly decorated with four orders of windows and a pointy rooftop with a cross. The nowadays campanile is not the original one: the latter, built in the 13^th century, was completely restored in the 20^th century, but fortunately the fidelity of the remake is not debatable.

Interior of the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi

The cavernous interior is divided in two chief expressions: the Romanesque style seizes the three aisles (as the plan of Baldassare Peruzzi intended), whereas the transept and the apse give vent to a powerful Gothic style.

Current patrimony

The current patrimony of the church consists of several masterpieces by the likes of Pietro Lorenzetti, Francesco Vanni and Matteo di Giovanni. Highlights refer to the 1261 Byzantine Madonna del Bordone by Coppo di Marcovaldo, amounting to some 28 square feet (located in the second chapel in the right aisle); Matteo di Giovanni’s 1491 Massacre of the Innocents (fifth chapel) and Madonna and Saints; Pietro Lorenzetti’s Slaughter of the Innocents (second chapel in the right transept, probably a collaboration with Francesco di Segna and Niccolo di Segna), Herod’s Feast and The Death of Saint John the Evangelist (again a collaboration with Francesco and Niccolo di Segna, in the second chapel from the high altar); Taddeo di Bartolo’s 1404 Adoration of the Shepherds (the altarpiece) and 1363 Madonna of Belvedere (a collaboration with Jacopo Mino del Pellicciano).

The patrimony is complemented by Duccio di Bonaventura’s Madonna with Child and by Lippo Memmi’s Madonna del Popolo. Francesco Vanni’s Annunciation is also worth mentioning.

Former patrimony

What remains now to be seen by the visiting public is but a part of what once was the artistic patrimony of the basilica. Valuable works of art have been moved in view of safekeeping and enhanced visibility to the public in sundry national and foreign museums.

For instance, we can cite Bernardo Fungai’s Coronation of the Virgin altarpiece, most likely created between 1498 and 1501. The work is deemed one of Fungai’s most valuable masterpieces. The panels once adorning the predella, were all inspired from the life of Saint Clement. Two of them, namely, The Conversion of Saint Clement and The Reunion of Saint Clement with His Family, are now sheltered at the Museum of Fine Arts of Strasbourg, whereas the other two, that is, Saint Clement Striking the Rock and The Martyrdom of Saint Clement, are showcased at the City Art Gallery of York, in England.

Further information

The table below lists all information on address of the Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi.

Name:

Basilica of Santa Maria dei Servi / Basilica di Santa Maria dei Servi

Address:

Via delli Servi, Piazza Manzoni, 53100, Siena, Italy‎

Opening hours:

8:30am-6:30pm

Admission:

free