A Forgotten and Rediscovered Passage
There are places that live on silences even before stones. The Alley of the Carriages is one of these: a hidden corner of the historic center of Siena that develops from Via di Diacceto, runs parallel to Via Franciosa, and connects to the latter through a narrow covered passage, reopened to the public only in 1982 after a long period of closure.
Today the alley ends in a dead end, but in the past it continued to the current Alley of Vallepiatta, through an access that still exists, hidden within a private building. A path that time has cut, but which memory continues to piece together.
A Dark Place, Once a Unsafe Spot
The origins of the alley date back at least to the 13th century. Already in 1298, the Statutes of the Streets described it as a particularly dark and isolated road. Due to the poor lighting, it was considered unsafe: documents from the time recount wrongdoers hiding to ambush passersby during the evening hours.
For this reason, the Municipality ordered the closure of the passage at both ends, limiting access and controlling its use. For many centuries, the alley remained secluded and almost forgotten, hidden behind the buildings that overlook the main streets of the historic center: a silent, almost secret presence in the living fabric of the city.
The Hotel La Scala and the Carriages
A Renowned Inn
The history of the alley changed radically between the 17th and 18th centuries, thanks to the presence of the ancient hotel "La Scala", one of the most renowned inns in the city. Located near Piazza San Giovanni, in front of the staircase of the Baptistery, the hotel welcomed travelers, merchants, and nobles from all over Tuscany.
The Stable that Gives the Alley its Name
The alley thus became a service space for the accommodation facility, used as a stable for carriages, coaches, and horses: it is from this function that the current name Alley of the Carriages derives. In the stables along the route, the animals of travelers found shelter, while blacksmiths took care of their care and shoeing. The entrance gate was opened exclusively to allow the passage of horses and carriages, remaining closed at other times of the day.
From Oblivion to Rediscovery
With the closure of the Hotel La Scala in 1935, the alley gradually lost its original function and fell back into oblivion. Only in 1982 was the passage recovered and reopened, allowing citizens and visitors to rediscover this hidden corner of the city, after decades of silence. In the alley, there are many venues of the Contrada della Selva, including the stable, and it is a place with a strong identity, alive all year round.
Come Walk Through It
Today the Alley of the Carriages retains a unique atmosphere: the noises of the center fade, light filters through the high walls, and time seems to slow down. Walking through, it is easy to imagine the sound of wheels on the cobblestones, the footsteps of horses, the comings and goings of travelers heading towards the heart of Siena. Between Via di Diacceto and Via Franciosa, historic center of Siena.
