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The Church of Sant’Agostino in Siena: art and devotion

Crossing the threshold of the Church of Sant’Agostino, one perceives the living history of Siena: every stone, every fresco tells of faith, culture, and generations of Sienese who have lived in these spaces.

Founded by the friars of the Order of Saint Augustine in 1258, the church is the result of a collective effort of the religious order, designed to provide a place of worship for the friars and a spiritual space for the local community. The construction lasted over fifty years, continuing into the early fourteenth century. The original style is medieval and Tuscan Gothic, simple and linear, with brick masonry.

After the fire of 1747, the interior was renewed with references to the eighteenth century, classical and baroque, designed by Luigi Vanvitelli. The original facade in terracotta was covered by a neoclassical portico created by Agostino Fantastici between 1818 and 1819. During the Napoleonic suppressions, the friars were forced to abandon the convent, while maintaining relations with the parish.

Via fontanella, 6

Masterpieces and artistic heritage

The church houses significant paintings from the 14th to the 17th century. Among the most famous are: the Majesty of Saint Augustine by Ambrogio Lorenzetti (1337-1338), the Adoration of the Shepherds by Francesco Giorgio Martini (1490), the Crucifixion (Pala Chigi) by Perugino, and the Madonna in Throne with Child and Saints by Matteo di Giovanni.

There are also works by Francesco Vanni, Rutilio Manetti, Casolani, and Ventura Salimbeni, as well as the Ciborium with Risen Christ by the Mazzuoli (17th century), an example of Sienese sculptural excellence. The interior of the church offers a journey through frescoes and sculptures that tell centuries of devotion, art, and local history.

A place of faith and culture

Every space in the Church of Sant’Agostino reveals a dialogue between past and present: the eighteenth-century works intertwine with medieval elements, creating an atmosphere of solemnity that is both intimate and welcoming. The church remains a point of reference for the Sienese community and a place where art and spirituality meet.

Feel the echo of the centuries among the vaults of the Church of Sant’Agostino and let yourself be surprised by the art that speaks of Siena.
Chiesa di Sant'Agostino