The Gothic town hall on the Campo, home to Ambrogio Lorenzetti's Allegory of Good and Bad Government and Simone Martini's Maestà.
The Palazzo Pubblico was built between 1297 and 1310 to house the Republic of Siena's government, and still serves as the town hall. Its museum, the Museo Civico, occupies the main floor and preserves secular art unusual for its date. The Sala del Mappamondo holds Simone Martini's Maestà (1315) and his portrait of the condottiere Guidoriccio da Fogliano. The Sala della Pace holds Ambrogio Lorenzetti's Allegory and Effects of Good and Bad Government (1338-1339), a vast cycle showing how just rule produces a flourishing city and countryside while tyranny leads to ruin. It is a rare surviving medieval political painting and the best single-room introduction to Sienese art and civic ideals. Further rooms contain Renaissance and Mannerist painting, and the chapel has carved stalls and frescoes.
| Admission | EUR 10-20 (~$12-23) |
|---|---|
| Hours | Daily from 10:00AM, closing between about 6:00PM and 7:00PM depending on season (reported); confirm at comune.siena.it |
| Typical visit | 1-1.5 hours |
| Best time | Late afternoon when tour groups thin out |
| Getting there | On Piazza del Campo; about 15 minutes on foot from the Piazza Gramsci bus terminal |
| Address | Piazza del Campo 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy |
Good to know
- Best for
- art lovers, history fans, rainy days
Location
Piazza del Campo 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
43.3180, 11.3320 View on map
Highlights
- Lorenzetti's Allegory of Good and Bad Government
- Simone Martini's Maestà and Guidoriccio da Fogliano
- Sala del Mappamondo and Sala della Pace
- Gothic palace interior
Tips for visiting
- Allow time in the Sala della Pace to read the Good and Bad Government frescoes slowly
- Tickets are sold at the ticket office in the courtyard; combined tickets save money if the Tower or Santa Maria della Scala is also planned
- Photographs without flash are generally permitted in the civic rooms; ask staff if unsure
- The first Sunday of each month is free at several state and civic sites but check whether the Museo Civico participates
When to visit
Late afternoon, or an early weekday morning in summer.
Accessibility
The ground floor and a lift reach the main museum floor; the tower is not accessible. Confirm arrangements at the ticket office.
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Frequently asked questions
Which painting is the most famous in the Museo Civico?
Ambrogio Lorenzetti's Allegory and Effects of Good and Bad Government in the Sala della Pace is the best known, followed by Simone Martini's Maestà.
Is there a combined ticket?
Yes. Museo Civico + Torre del Mangia is about EUR 15 (~$17), and a wider Civitas Senensium ticket adds Santa Maria della Scala; confirm at the ticket office.