The shell-shaped main square of medieval Siena, laid out on the meeting point of three hills and the venue of the Palio.
Piazza del Campo took shape in the 12th and 13th centuries as a marketplace where the three hill districts of Siena met. In the late 13th century the Council of Nine, who governed Siena from 1287 to 1355, regulated the buildings around it so that facades followed the curve and kept to similar window forms. The slope drains toward the Palazzo Pubblico, and the brick paving is divided by nine travertine lines converging on the drain, usually read as a symbol of the Nine. The square has been used for markets, public assemblies, executions, bullfights and, since the 17th century, the Palio horse race. Palazzo Sansedoni, Palazzo Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia anchor the lower side.
| Admission | Free |
|---|---|
| Hours | Open at all times |
| Address | Piazza del Campo, 53100 Siena SI, Italy |
Why it matters
The civic heart of the Sienese Republic and part of the UNESCO World Heritage historic centre inscribed in 1995.
Site facts
- Built
- 12th-14th centuries (paved in brick 1347-1349)
- Architect
- Council of Nine (planning); builders unnamed
- Style
- Medieval Gothic civic square
- UNESCO listing
- True
Location
Piazza del Campo, 53100 Siena SI, Italy
43.3182, 11.3311 View on map
Highlights
- Shell-shaped slope of nine bands
- Home of the Palio on 2 July and 16 August
- Ring of Gothic palaces
Tips for visiting
- Early morning is quietest
- Check Palio dates before booking accommodation
Accessibility
Step-free but sloping brick paving.
Frequently asked questions
Why is the Campo shell-shaped?
It formed naturally where three hills meet, and the medieval government kept the slope and the curve of the facades; the nine bands are linked to the Council of Nine.