Piazza del Campo (Campo Square), Siena

Piazza del Campo (Campo Square), Siena (must see)

The Campo Square on the site where three ancient towns met and where three main roads intersect. The square was designed to be a gathering site where the entire town could meet and celebrate holidays, enjoy games, or attend political events.

The Campo Square features a red brick fishtail design that was laid in 1349. Eight lines of white travertine cut through the red brick, creating nine sections. The nine sections represent the nine ruling governors who maintained peace and prosperity in Siena from 1291-1355.

The sections also represent the folds of the Virgin Mary's cloak. The Virgin Mary was Siena's patron saint and considered Siena's ultimate ruler. The nine sections radiate out from the central water drain in front of the Public Palace.

In 1297, the government created guidelines to ensure buildings had a congruent appearance. Therefore, many gorgeous, harmonious buildings face Campo Square. The most notable building in the square is the medieval Gothic Public Palace which was home to the Government of Nine and now houses the Civic Museum.

The Joyous Fountain was built in 1346, and the intricate marble carvings were added in 1409. Underground tunnels feed the Joyous Fountain.

The Palio di Siena, a popular horse race, is held twice a year. The course runs around the edge of the Campo Square and fans pack the square. The yearly road cycling race Strade Bianche finishes at the square. In addition, the Campo Square hosts various Carnival festivities every February.

Why You Should Visit:
The Campo Square is known as one of the most beautiful medieval squares in Italy. This gorgeously preserved square is the heart and soul of Siena and the perfect place to immerse yourself in Siena's culture and history.

Tips:
Enjoy a glass of wine, gelato, or coffee in one of the many cafes and restaurants. Watch the activity in the square and listen for the tower bells ringing.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Siena. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Piazza del Campo (Campo Square) on Map

Sight Name: Piazza del Campo (Campo Square)
Sight Location: Siena, Italy (See walking tours in Siena)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Siena, Italy

Create Your Own Walk in Siena

Create Your Own Walk in Siena

Creating your own self-guided walk in Siena is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Siena Old Town Walking Tour

Siena Old Town Walking Tour

Siena was originally settled by Etruscans of Italy and later settled by Romans, who emulated Etruscan culture and named the city Sena Julia. The Lombard Kings then developed the city. By the 12th century, Siena was self-governing.

Siena established the Council of Nine in 1270. This Council was responsible for a flourishing economy, a focus on art, and a building boom. In 1348, Siena was...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.1 Km or 0.7 Miles
Siena's Palaces Walking Tour

Siena's Palaces Walking Tour

A leisurely stroll through downtown Siena – a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of imperious castles, palaces and other historic buildings – promises an exciting day of discovery and a pleasant experience for architecture buffs.

While most Italian cities have a church on their main square, Siena's famous Piazza Del Campo gathers around the city hall, known as Palazzo Pubblico...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.7 Km or 0.4 Miles
Medieval Siena Walking Tour

Medieval Siena Walking Tour

Siena is a beautiful medieval city whose Gothic-era identity, acquired between the 12th and 15th centuries, has been successfully preserved due to the centuries of political and economic irrelevance in the shadow of its grander neighbor Florence. Today's Siena is a cultural gold mine and ideal place to revel in medieval Italy.

No tour of Siena is complete without visiting its heart, the...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.5 Km or 2.2 Miles