The Thebaid in Siena: A Hidden Gem of Medieval Art Reopens at Santa Maria della Scala

If you love exploring Tuscany’s artistic treasures beyond the obvious landmarks, Siena has just unveiled something truly special. From November 7, visitors can admire The Thebaid — a newly restored cycle of 14th-century frescoes — inside the Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex, one of the city’s most fascinating cultural destinations.

Discovering Siena’s quiet masterpiece

While most travelers come to Siena for its soaring cathedral and the famous Piazza del Campo, the Santa Maria della Scala offers a different kind of wonder — one that feels both intimate and timeless.

Hidden for centuries beneath layers of plaster, The Thebaid was rediscovered only in 1999 during renovation works in this former hospital that once cared for pilgrims on the Via Francigena.

The frescoes, painted in warm shades of red ochre, are attributed to Lippo Vanni, a Sienese painter active in the early 1300s.

They depict scenes of monks and hermits living in solitude, praying, or reading among palm trees and desert caves — a serene world far from the bustle of medieval Siena.

Looking for more things to do in Tuscany? Download the GetYourGuide app and get 5% off any activity in the city or worldwide with the promo code BRASILNAITALIANET5. Valid for new customers only (read how it works here).

What The Thebaid represents

The name “Thebaid” refers to the desert near Thebes, in Egypt, where early Christian monks sought peace and spiritual purification.

These frescoes illustrate their daily lives and devotion, inspired by The Lives of the Holy Fathers, a medieval text that spread through Tuscany around 1330.

Rather than a single story, the paintings form a series of small moments — a visual meditation on silence, discipline, and faith. When you stand beneath the vaulted ceiling, it’s easy to imagine how the members of the Compagnia dei Disciplinati once gathered here for prayer and reflection.

Visiting Santa Maria della Scala today

Located just across from Siena’s Duomo, the Santa Maria della Scala Museum is a must-see for anyone interested in art, history, and the city’s medieval soul. The complex houses archaeological remains, sacred art, and frescoed halls that reveal Siena’s rich civic and spiritual heritage.

Now, with The Thebaid included in the main itinerary, visitors can witness one of the most important artistic rediscoveries of recent decades. It’s a rare opportunity to experience a piece of 14th-century Siena that feels newly alive.

Plan your visit

• Where: Santa Maria della Scala Museum Complex, Siena
• Opening to the public: from November 7, 2025
• Tickets and information: www.santamariadellascala.com
• Where to stay: Find our curated selection of hotels in Siena

Whether you’re returning to Siena or visiting for the first time, The Thebaid offers a perfect reminder of why this Tuscan city continues to captivate — a place where beauty, spirituality, and history quietly coexist.