1 Campo, Piazza del
2 Cappelle Medicee
3 Collegiata di San Gimignano
4 David
5 Duomo di Siena
6 Museo Nazionale del Bargello
7 Museo di San Marco
8 Santa Croce
9 Torre Pendente (Leaning Tower)
10 Uffizi, Galleria degli
Siena's magnificent central piazza and its arc of rosy-coloured palaces make up one of Europe's most beautiful medieval squares.
Walking into the Campo from Siena's tight huddle of streets is like stepping on to some medieval stage set. Situated at the heart of the old city, the conch-shaped piazza resembles a vast amphitheatre, its broad sweep of palaces culminating in the battlemented splendour of the Palazzo Pubblico and its attendant bell-tower.
The square probably began life as the Roman forum, becoming the town's principal market-place before taking on its present form in 1293, when the Council of Nine, Siena's governing body, began to buy up land with a view to creating a great central square. The carefully chosen area was at the heart of Siena's terzi (the city's three main districts), and was the only piece of land owned by none of Siena's contrade, the city's fiercely competitive medieval parishes. As such the Council hoped the square would become the focus of civic life, a physical expression of good government, and a symbol of citizens' loyalty to Siena rather than to factions, families, terzi or contrade. The Campo was completed in 1349 with the addition of its brick paving, whose nine sections were designed to symbolise the Council of Nine, and the folds of the Virgin's cloak, sheltering the city under its protective embrace. Both the Palazzo Pubblico and Torre del Mangia are well worth visiting, but you should also indulge in at least one pricey cappuccino at one of the Campo's cafés, an ideal way to take in the square's endless street-life. Be warned, however, most of the restaurants are very expensive.Address: Piazza del Campo, Siena
Phone: None
Open: Daily 24 hours
Restaurant: Many cafés (Inexpensive-Moderately priced) and restaurants (Expensive)
Bus: In the pedestrian zone
Accessible: Good, but sloping and uneven paving
Admission: Free
Other: Duomo, Palazzo Pubblico
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