Siena Municipality Withdraws from Fondazione Musei Senesi

The Municipality of Siena has officially withdrawn from the Fondazione Musei Senesi (FMS), a network of over 40 museums across the province, following a city council vote on September 30, 2019. FMS vice president Giacomo Basi and scientific director Elisa Bruttini expressed regret, noting Siena was among the first to support the project in 2002. The foundation, created in the early 2000s by the provincial administration, coordinates cultural institutions, optimizes resources, and builds itineraries linking Sienese heritage. It collaborates with the University of Siena for job training and aims to decongest tourist flows. Financial difficulties arose after Monte dei Paschi di Siena reduced funding, prompting staff cuts and reliance on regional, national, and EU grants. Mayor Luigi De Mossi justified the exit by citing an annual fee of €16,621 (paid for 2019) and an unpaid debt of €53,379 from 2009–2013, arguing the cost-benefit ratio was unfavorable for the Torre del Mangia and Museo Civico. He stated the foundation was not functional for Siena's cultural planning. Bruttini countered that the municipality's move isolates Siena from the territory, including UNESCO sites and agritourism areas like Montepulciano and San Gimignano. She noted FMS will continue with a dual-level communication plan for the city and province, and remains open to dialogue. Both sides left the door open for future compromise.