Piazza del Campo

The Piazza del Campo, in Siena

The Piazza del Campo is the absolute heart of Siena, a famous medieval square in the shape of a shell, the theatre of the famous Palio. The Siena audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this masterpiece of urbanism, symbol of the power of the Tuscan town.

The shell-shaped square of the Government of the Nine

An absolute symbol of Siena, the Piazza del Campo was designed in the thirteenth century as the true heart of the town. At the time, an immense financial and urban effort transformed an unhealthy ground into a monumental square, destined to represent the power of the town facing its rivals, Florence in the lead. Its shell-shaped layout is unique: the square, slightly sloping, is divided into nine parts that recall the Government of the Nine, the magistracy that directed Siena at the apogee of its splendour. Dominated by the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia, lined with elegant medieval palaces and adorned with the Fonte Gaia, it composes an ensemble of exceptional harmony. It is here that, twice a year, the famous Palio is run, the spectacular horse race that opposes the districts of the town. A masterpiece of medieval urbanism and the beating heart of the town, the Piazza del Campo is a must-see stop of Siena.

What to see

You admire the heart of Siena, the famous shell-shaped square designed in the thirteenth century, slightly sloping and divided into nine parts recalling the Government of the Nine, dominated by the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia, adorned with the Fonte Gaia, and the theatre twice a year of the famous Palio. The Piazza del Campo is the symbol of Siena. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Piazza del Campo lies in the heart of the historic centre of Siena, reachable on foot. It is a freely accessible public space; the cafés and terraces have their own hours. The Palio, traditional horse race, is generally run there in summer; it is best to inquire about the dates before coming.

Why is the Piazza del Campo of Siena famous?

For its unique shell shape, divided into nine parts recalling the Government of the Nine, designed in the thirteenth century as the heart of the town; dominated by the Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia, it is also the theatre of the famous Palio, horse race between the districts.

Where is the Piazza del Campo of Siena?

In the heart of the historic centre of Siena, in Tuscany, in Italy.