Accademia Chigiana

The Accademia Musicale Chigiana was founded by Count Guido Chigi Saracini in 1932 with the aim of organizing master classes for the principal musical instruments. Its founder provided his magnificent palace specially restored and readapted for the purpose, he also managed to call many world renowned musicians to give lectures to the various classes.
Many of the most well-known names in the field of international music have emerged from the classes in Siena, such as Carlo Maria Giulini, Zubin Mehta, Daniel Oren, Roman Vlad, Claudio Abbado, Salvatore Accardo, Uto Ughi, Daniel Barenboim, Alirio Diaz, etc..
The fame of the Accademia has spread rapidly throughout the world, attracting many young people from diverse backgrounds, representing over 50 countries.
The palazzo of the Accademia Chigiana is one of the most beautiful of Siena, full of a wonderful collection of Art, the Collection Chigi Saracini. In addition to the famous art gallery, the Chigiana has a large library of music and literature of about 70,000 volumes, filled with rare editions, autographs, manuscripts of various ages, and a valuable collection of musical instruments.
From Friday, April 2, 2010, the historic palazzo of the Academy (Via di Città 89) opens its doors to all those who wish to admire the beautiful structure built in 1200 in Gothic style by the family
Marescotti and part of the twelve thousand important pieces of its art collection.
Until October 30th a guide of the Tour Guides Association of Siena will show this palazzo, one of the most beautiful buildings in Siena, where Galgano Saracini had collected and exhibited paintings, statues, reliefs, paintings with gold background, porcelain, precious ivory manufacturing, wood and stones, chinoiserie, and a collection of ceramics from the most important Italian schools from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. An eclectic collection, distinguished by the paintings of artists from all the great periods of Italian painting; among the masterpieces there are works from Sassetta, Sano di Pietro, Botticelli, Sodoma, Beccafumi Manetti, Vanni, Rose, Cassioli, Maccari and many other great masters.

The tours, lasting about an hour, will take place every Friday and Saturday at 11am, 12am, 3pm and 4pm. For information ask at the hotel reception desk or call 0577 286300 (every day from 9pm to 5pm) www.chigiana.it