Santa Maria in Provenzano

Insigne Collegiata di Santa Maria in Provenzano

The famous church of Santa Maria in Provenzano is an excellent venue to celebrate your wedding in Siena. It is located in the historical centre of the city, in Piazza Provenzano Salvani. In this portion of the city stood the houses of Provenzano Salvani, a Ghibelline politician mentioned by Dante Alighieri in the Divine Comedy (Canto XI of Purgatory) and victor of the Battle of Montaperti in 1260.

The Basilica was built, to a design by Flaminio del Turco, in Mannerist style between 1594 and 1604. It was only consecrated on 16 October 1611. The statues in the four niches outside are 19th century and were made by Antonio Zini.

Entering on the right, the first altar contains the capital work, signed at the bottom, by Rutilio Manetti depicting the Mass of San Cerbone. In the four pendentives of the dome are 18th-century frescoes depicting the four patron saints of Siena: Galgano, Savino, Crescenzio and Vittore.

Worthy of note is the floor, placed in the direction of the dome. Made of mixed marble, it was designed in 1685 with the Medici coat of arms in the centre. The high altar, containing the Madonna di Provenzano, was again designed by Flaminio del Turco.

On the left wall, the second altar contains a work by Dionisio Montorselli depicting a very rare iconographic episode: St. Catherine’s Vision of the Martyrdom of St. Lawrence.

The wooden furnishings inside (pulpit, pews, confessionals, kneelers) are original works by Agostino Fantastici.

The Palio of 2 July, dedicated to Our Lady of Provenzano, is laid every year in the Church of Santa Maria in Provenzano. The drape is carried to Piazza del Campo on the day of the race and, after the race, the winning contrada takes the ‘cencio’ back to the Basilica. The Virgin of Provenzano is thanked with a hymn dedicated to her (Te Deum), to the total jubilation of the contradaioli.

Address

Via Provenzano Salvani 2, 53100 Siena

Contact number

Tel. 0577 49883

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