Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Sights
1
Piazza del Campo
PIAZZA
This sloping piazza, popularly known as Il Campo, has been Siena's civic and social
centre since its creation in the mid-12th century. Its pie-piece paving design is divided into
nine sectors and its
Fonte Gaia
(Happy Fountain) dates from 1346. These days the foun-
tain's carved panels are reproductions (the originals are on display in the Complesso
Museale Santa Maria della Scala).
2
Palazzo Comunale
At the lowest point of the Campo stands this graceful Gothic building, purpose-built in the
late 13th century as the piazza's centrepiece. Entry to its ground-floor central courtyard is
free, and from it soars the graceful
Torre del Mangia
( 10am-6.15pm Mar-mid-Oct, to 3.15pm
mid-Oct-Feb; admission €8)
, 102m high and with 500-odd steps. The views from the top are
magnificent.
(Palazzo Pubblico)
HISTORIC BUILDING
3
Pinacoteca Nazionale
ART GALLERY
Occupying the once-grand but now sadly disheveled 14th-century Palazzo Buonsignori,
this labyrinthine gallery displays an extraordinary collection of Gothic masterpieces from
the Sienese school. The highlights are all on the 2nd floor, including magnificent and up-
lifting works by Duccio di Buoninsegna, Simone Martini, Niccolò di Segna, Lippo
Memmi, Ambrogio and Pietro Lorenzetti, Bartolo di Fredi and Taddeo di Bartolo.
(Via San
Pietro 29; adult/reduced €4/2;
10am-5.45pm Tue-Sat, 9am-12.45pm Sun & Mon)
4
Complesso Museale Santa Maria della Scala
CULTURAL BUILDING
