Basilica of San Clemente in Santa Maria dei Servi
One of the most fascinating basilicas in Siena that preserves precious artistic treasures
The basilica of San Clemente in Santa Maria dei Servi is located in Siena on the hill overlooking Valdimontone, one of the contrade of the famous Palio.
The Servite monks, who arrived here around the middle of the 13th century, built the church on the ancient building of San Clemente - from which it derives its name - but the consecration did not take place until 1533.
The construction and extension works lasted some three centuries, and part of the facade was never finished: the altars we see inside today date from the Baroque period and between the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries the basilica was restored following the neo-Gothic style.
The last restoration dates back to 1926.
The interior consists of three naves, five bays and seven chapels on an Egyptian cross plan.
Many of the decorations follow the neo-Gothic style, and numerous works are preserved there, such as the Madonna con Bambino (Madonna and Child) painted by Coppo di Marcovaldo in 1261 – an artwork by the artist captured by the Sienese during the battle of Monteaperti - the Inconorazione della Madonna (Coronation of the Madonna) by Bernardino Fungai and the Natività (Nativity) dated 1404 and created by the Sienese Taddeo di Bartolo.
In the basilica, we find frescoes attributed to Pietro Lorenzetti and his collaborators.
