Piazza del Campo is the beating heart of Siena, and one of the most distinctive medieval squares in Italy. Its broad shell-like form came from the natural slope where the city’s streets once converged, and over time it was carefully shaped into a harmonious civic space rather than a simple market place.
The square is famous for the Palio di Siena, the historic horse race held twice a year, and it still serves as a centre for public life, celebrations and gatherings. The paving, with its nine sections radiating out from the middle, reflects the old government of the Nine, while the whole setting gives the impression of a place designed for the city to come together.
Dominating one side of the piazza is the Palazzo Pubblico, the grand Gothic town hall that symbolises Siena’s civic power. Beside it rises the Torre del Mangia, one of the city’s most recognisable landmarks, built as a proud companion to the palace and visible from across the square.
You can climb the tower by taking around 400 narrow stairs, and the effort is well rewarded. From the top, the views over Siena and the surrounding Tuscan hills are superb, making it one of the most memorable experiences in the city.
Piazza del Campo
Palazzo Publico
Torre del Mangia
Siena
Italy
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