Tumb of Celso Tolomei

Mausoleum of Celso Tolomei (1572-1634)

Son of Fabio and Maddalena Sulpizia, Celso was one of the last descendants of the Tolomei branch of Siena, a noble and powerful banking family. He held positions of city prestige, as befitted his family, for example serving in various years on the Consistory, the city's highest body.

He did not marry and had no children. An only son, endowed with great culture, he matured the decision in 1628, even though he was not at the point of death, to provide that the amount of his property should be destined for the creation of a boarding school that would allow young people the opportunity to study according to a precise scale of values: first of all the young men of his lineage, then the Sienese nobles, then the scions of the Sienese bourgeoisie (shopkeepers, artisans, etc.), followed by those from the Grand Duchy and, depending on vacancies, also those from outside.

The will drafted by the notary Alessandro Rocchigiani consists of no less than 26 very detailed chapters that provided for every circumstance of his bequest by entrusting Monte dei Paschi with the investment of his assets. Attentive to the needs of the younger generation, he wrote in one passage of the will thus:

"I have thought, and resolved, that the goods, which will be left by me will serve to give place, and commodity to the young people of this City, and State, who will have the will to exercise themselves in the Studies of letters to learn the sciences and operate virtuously [... ] and to this effect, I want, and bequeath, that all my property [...] be used to found, et erect in the City of Siena a College, or Seminary, for the study of Gioveni Sanesi, and of the state, whom [...] I appoint as my universal heir [...] which I want, and intend, to be founded, et erected under my name."

The will held considerable prominence even after his death and was printed in 1723, circulating not only as a manuscript.

Tolomei Boarding School was officially opened in the year 1676 with 10 students, but by 1682 there were already 129 students from outside the Grand Duchy and abroad.