On the third Saturday of May occurs the Night of Museums, a European initiative which consists in the special night opening of museums, galleries and other places of cultural importance, with the opportunity to join guided tours and special events.
In Siena and province you will have different chances to spend the evening of Saturday 17th May, discovering new venues and see an exhibition past the usual opening hours; follow our tips to better organize your weekend, we have selected the most original events among those available just a short distance from Palazzo Ravizza.
See the sky at night is very romantic and it will be even more impressive in the evening of 17th because it will be visible three planets at the same time, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn, which you can peer closely at the Astronomical Observatory of the University of Siena, located in Via Roma 56; here from 9:00 pm to 11:00 pm the astronomers will guide you explaining the wonders of the universe and some easy astronomical concepts.
The others museums open at night will be the Museum Complex Santa Maria della Scala, the Museo Civico (with the guided tour “Il Sigilllo di S. Bernardino”), the Natural History Museum of the Academy of Fisiocritici, which exhibits the collection of minerals by Nereo Perini, samples found all over the five continents.
Another aspect of the history of Siena is told at the Synagogue, where the topic of the tour is “Guests, pilgrims, Jews travelers and Siena over the centuries”, a unique opportunity to explore a place not usually included in the standard itineraries.
If you plan to move in the surroundings, we suggest you to go to Colle Val d’Elsa, because there are two events: the presentation of the cup designed for the Via Francigena travelers at the Museo del Cristallo (Crystal Museum) and the Notte con gli Etruschi at the Archaeological Museum Bianchi Bandinelli.
Colle Val d’Elsa is renowned for the production of glass and crystal (15% of entire world production comes from Colle Val d’Elsa), so it is interesting to learn more by visiting the Museum; if you prefer the ancient history the Archaeological Museum is the most suitable choice, the place where you can see collections of finds from the Etruscan necropolis and the Stanze della Memoria, a former prison with inscriptions and graffiti on the walls.
It is a prestigious museum for the archaeological finds from the Etruscan age and guided tours are scheduled at 9:00 pm and 11:00 pm. To check the complete program, visit the official site www.lanottedeimusei.it and www.intoscana.it .
Saturday 17th May will be a wonderful night, stay in Siena next weekend and fall in love with this town after sunset.
