The 102-metre brick-and-travertine bell tower of the Palazzo Pubblico, climbed by about 400 steps for the best view over Siena's roofs.
The Torre del Mangia was built between 1338 and 1348 beside the Palazzo Pubblico, designed by the brothers Minuccio and Francesco di Rinaldo, and stands 102 metres tall, making it one of the tallest medieval towers in Italy. Its brick shaft ends in a travertine battlemented crown. The name refers to its first bell ringer, Giovanni di Balduccio, nicknamed Mangiaguadagni (eat-the-profits) or Mangia. Visitors climb about 400 steps in a narrow stair, passing the bell chamber, to an open loggia with views over the Campo, the Duomo, the Fortezza Medicea and the hills of Chianti. The ascent is physical and the top viewing gallery is small, so the number of visitors is controlled. At the base, the Cappella di Piazza was added after the plague of 1348 as a thanksgiving.
| Admission | Adult EUR 10 (~$12) for the tower alone; combined Museo Civico + Tower ticket EUR 15 (~$17) · Child Children up to 11 free (reported); family ticket for two adults and children aged 11-18 about EUR 25 (~$29) |
|---|---|
| Typical visit | 30 minutes in the tower (about 15 minutes at the top) |
| Best time | Weekday morning when the ticket office opens at 10:00AM; slots sell out later in summer |
| Getting there | In Piazza del Campo; about 15 minutes on foot from Piazza Gramsci or 10 minutes from the Il Campo car park |
| Address | Piazza del Campo 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy |
Good to know
- Best for
- views, photographers, fit visitors
Location
Piazza del Campo 1, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
43.3183, 11.3322 View on map
Highlights
- About 400-step ascent
- Panorama over the Campo, Duomo and Chianti hills
- Medieval brick-and-travertine engineering
- Adjacent Cappella di Piazza
Tips for visiting
- Tickets are reported as sold only in person at the ticket office in the Palazzo Pubblico courtyard on the Campo, not online, so arrive at opening in summer
- Entry is in timed groups of limited size and the stair is a narrow single-file climb of roughly 400 steps with no lift
- The tower can close in thunderstorms or high wind
- Not included in the OPA SI Pass; it is sold with the Museo Civico or the Civitas Senensium ticket
When to visit
Opening time on a weekday morning; avoid midday in summer.
Accessibility
Not accessible: narrow spiral stairs, no lift. Not recommended for visitors with heart, breathing or claustrophobia concerns.
Visit, book or contact
Frequently asked questions
Can tickets for the Torre del Mangia be bought online?
Reported sources say tickets are sold only at the ticket office inside the Palazzo Pubblico on the Campo, so buying on the day is the safe plan; confirm at comune.siena.it.
How many steps does the tower have?
About 400 in a single-file stair with no lift; it is not suitable for wheelchair users.