Piazza del Campo! | Just Visit Siena !

The answer can be only one. . . to Piazza del Campo! It is the main public area of the history center. The heart of Siena, that is located at the junction of three hills. For me the most glamorous square that I have ever seen.

Here we can’t avoid a bit of history I guess. You should know, that history center of Siena is embodiment of a medieval city. The city of Siena was built around Piazza del Campo – that developed before the thirteenth century. Until 1270, the space of the future square was used for fairs and markets. Just precisely here population of Siena was gathering to attend events, tournaments and races. And like this is till today . . .Piazza del Campo is a stage of the most important citizens’ events and well-known all over the world PALIO of Siena (that takes place twice a year, on the 2nd July and on the 16th August).

Surely immediately you will notice the characteristic shape. Piazza del Campo has shell shape. The question is why . . . To learn the answer we have to move back to history. Such a shape was necessary to protect city in case of flood.

The style of buildings is another characteristic feature. Houses and palaces follow one another in rows along the main streets. That creates an unique urban space. The paving is made of red bricks. It all makes fabulous impression, like a fairy tale.

Certainly stands out the building of the Palazzo Pubblico (the seat of the communal government) and it’s gothic style of triple-arched windows. Inside in Museo Civico (http://www.comune.siena.it/La-Citta/Cultura/Strutture-Museali/Museo-Civico) you can admire precious frescoes. Ticket costs 8EUR (without booking), 7,50 EUR (with booking).

There you have also a chance to enter Torre la Mangia (http://www.comune.siena.it/La-Citta/Cultura/Strutture-Museali/Torre-del-Mangia). Ticket costs 8 EUR. But if you decide to see Museo Civico and Torre la Mangia you will pay 13 EUR. The height of the tower is 87 meters and this you have to overcome on foot.

For sure, when you are on Piazza del Campo your attention will draw a masterpiece of 1419 by Jacopo della Quercia – the Fonte Gaia (“Fountain of Joy”). The fountain was built as an endpoint of the system of conduits bringing water to the city’s centre. The fountain has a shape of a rectangular basin that is adorned on three sides with many bas-reliefs with the Madonna surrounded by the Classical and the Christian Virtues.

All around you can enjoy your meal and drink in one of the many restaurants. But I personally recommend you . . . sit on the paving, relax and admire the fabulous view.

And at the end one very important information. . .The historic center of Siena, in 1995, was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

So now look below . . . and then come to visit this so special and picturesque place to ascertain that all roads in Siena lead to Piazza del Campo . . . at any time.