Piazza del Campo (or in free translation in Hebrew: the field square) is a universal symbol of the city of Siena and a national heritage site recognized by UNESCO organization. The square was established back in the Middle Ages, in the 13th century, by the local government, which of course established its residence there.
This is the central and large square of the city, the heart of all happenings and community events and popular recreation and meeting place among locals and tourists. Twice a year, the Palio tournament, Siena’s famous horse race, is held there.
The square was built at the intersection of three main roads, leading to Siena. In fact, all the roads in Siena lead to the same square and there is no way to visit Siena without having crossed it at least once.
The square has an artistic and calculated design, with a red brick floor and a unique shape, shaped like a seashell or a fan. The 300 square meters of its area are divided into 9 areas – representing the nine governorates of the city.
Del Campo Square contains some of the most important points of interest in the city:
Palazzo Pubblico, is the town hall, the central building standing in front of the square. It hosts within it the Civic Museum, which displays famous works of art by local artists.
Torre del Mangia is a 102-meter tower, built in the 14th century and designed in accordance with the spirit of the time, with carved stone sculptures on its outer walls and a rounded roof.
At the base of the high tower, stands a historical chapel – Cappella di Piazza. The chapel was built after the black plague that hit the area, as a sign of gratitude to the Holy Mary for saving the city.
From the other side of the square, you can see the Fonte Gaia (translated from Italian: fountain of happiness), a building that is a source of pride for the city and was built in 1346. It is a water reservoir that is drained by over 30 kilometers of underground pipes. The building is surrounded by molded and sculpted marble walls and fulfilled a vital need of Siena in the distant past.
To complete the tour of the city, after wandering through Piazza del Campo, you can continue walking towards the Duomo, the central religious area of Siena and the second most important tourist attraction in Piazza del Campo.
