The Basillica dell'Osservanza ('Observatory Basilica') is a church opposite the city of Siena, on the north side. It was built around 1490 and the architect was probably Francesco di Giorgio. In 1495-1496 the building was expanded by the ruler of Siena, Pandolfo Petrucci.
The basilica is on the hilltop where the soon-sanctified preacher Bernardinus of Siena lived and preached for much of his life. As a young Franciscan, Bernardinus had founded a monastery dedicated to the Holy Onufrius (Sant'Onofrio in Italian) on this Colle della Capriola ('hill of the salto').
The original church building, in simple Renaissance style, was damaged during the Siege siege in 1554 during the Italian War (1551-1559). There was rebuilding in the baroque period and a restoration between 1922 and 1932. During World War II, it was almost completely destroyed by US bombing on January 23, 1944, but the original basilica was rebuilt after the war on the basis of pictures and testimonies of the monks of the monastery. Externe link 43° 19′ 56″ NB, 11° 20′ 21″ OL
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