Siena's state archives are housed in the magnificent Renaissance-era Palazzo Piccolomini . Enter from the courtyard and take the elevator to the 4th floor to visit this charming museum, which takes its name from the pride of its collection; a series of small late-13th-century painted and gilded wooden panels known as the 'Tavolette di Biccherna'.
Originally created as covers for the municipal accounts books, the tavolette were painted by Sienese artists including Ambogio Lorenzetti. They and other evocative, historically significant documents (many medieval) can be seen on the compulsory guided tour (in Italian only).
