The monumental fountain at the top of the Campo, with 19th-century copies of Jacopo della Quercia's 15th-century reliefs.
The Fonte Gaia, or Joyful Fountain, marks the arrival of piped water in the Campo in 1346 through the medieval bottini, a network of underground aqueducts. Jacopo della Quercia carved the current marble design between 1409 and 1419, with reliefs showing the Virgin, virtues and scenes from Genesis. The weathered originals were removed and are now in the Santa Maria della Scala; the copy in the square dates from 1869 and was carved by Tito Sarrocchi.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open at all times (public square) |
| Typical visit | 10 minutes |
| Best time | Morning |
| Getting there | At the upper edge of Piazza del Campo |
| Address | Piazza del Campo, 53100 Siena SI, Italy |
Good to know
- Best for
- photographers, history fans
Location
Piazza del Campo, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
43.3187, 11.3314 View on map
Highlights
- Jacopo della Quercia reliefs (copies)
- Medieval bottini water system
- Original sculptures in Santa Maria della Scala
Tips for visiting
- The fountain on the Campo is a copy (1869) by Tito Sarrocchi; the original reliefs are in Santa Maria della Scala
- The water was first piped in 1346 through underground tunnels called bottini
- The Fonte Gaia name means joyful fountain
When to visit
Morning.
Accessibility
Step-free from the square.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Is the Fonte Gaia original?
No; the Campo version is an 1869 copy, and the original sculptures are in Santa Maria della Scala.