Biblioteca Comunale degli Intronati

Siena


Occupying 13th-century buildings once used by the University of Siena, this municipal library was established in the 1750s. Its labyrinthine structure reflects the fact that it was cobbled together by constructing interlinking structures over medieval streets. A popular working space for students, it also has a large kids' zone for junior readers aged under 10 years, a handsome 15th-century lecture hall lined with historic volumes and a periodicals room.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Siena attractions

1. Casa Santuario di Santa Caterina

0.07 MILES

St Catherine once lived here with her parents and 24 siblings (locals joke her mother must have been a saint too). Now a pilgrimage site overseen by nuns…

2. Palazzo Salimbeni

0.08 MILES

One of the city's most handsome medieval buildings, this 14th-century Gothic-style fortified palace was built for the Salimbeni family, wealthy Ghibelline…

3. Palazzo Tolomei

0.09 MILES

This towering Gothic structure with double lancet windows was built in stone between 1205–1212 for the Tolomei family, Guelph bankers. It now houses the…

4. Chiesa di San Cristoforo

0.1 MILES

Dedicated to the patron saint of travellers and a popular stop on the medieval Via Francigena pilgrims' route, this church dates from the 11th century but…

5. Fontebranda

0.13 MILES

The largest medieval fountain in Siena, Fontebranda was built in the 13th century and features three wide Gothic arches, crenellations and water jets in…

6. Loggia della Mercanzia

0.14 MILES

Built between 1417 and 1428, this arched loggia with its distinctive sculptures is located on the Croce del Travaglio, from which the three main roads of…

7. Basilica Cateriniana di San Domenico

0.16 MILES

St Catherine was welcomed into the Dominican fold within this huge and austere 13th-century basilica. Inside, the Cappella di Santa Caterina (halfway down…

8. Fonte Gaia

0.16 MILES

Water first bubbled forth from the Fonte Gaia in the upper part of the Campo in 1346. The fountain's panels are reproductions; the severely weathered…