Page 393 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

IT AL Y  391

Loggia della Mercanzia P Palazzo Pubblico
This graceful arcade (1417) Piazza del Campo 1. Tel 0577-29 21 11.
was used by Siena’s Museo Civico & Torre del Mangia
medieval merchants Tel 0577-22 62 30. Open daily.
and money dealers.
Closed Dec 25. &
Although the Palazzo Pubblico
(1297–1342) continues in its
ancient role as Siena’s town hall,
the Museo Civico is also housed
here. Many of the rooms, some
decorated with paintings of the
Sienese School, are open to the
Palazzo Piccolomini, public. They include the main
council chamber, or Sala del
built in 1460, now holds
V I A B A N C H I D I S O P R A Tourist archives. Many of the map of the world painted here
Mappamondo, named after a
the Sienese state
by Ambrogio Lorenzetti in the
original painted wooden
information
early 14th century. One wall is
bindings are on display.
covered by Simone Martini’s
fresco Maestà (1315), which
depicts the Virgin in Majesty.
The Sala della Pace houses the
Government, a pair of frescoes
V I A R I N A L D I N A VIA DI PANTANETO famous Allegory of Good and Bad
V I A B A N C H I D I S O T T O
by Lorenzetti finished in 1338.
In the palace courtyard is the
magnificent Torre del Mangia
bell tower, which offers superb
views of the city.
P Piazza del Campo
PIA ZZ A Italy’s loveliest piazza occupies
VIA DEL PORRIONE
DEL the site of the old Roman forum,
and for much of Siena’s early
C AMPO history was the city’s principal
marketplace. The Council of
Nine, Siena’s ruling body, gave
the order for work to start on
the piazza in 1293. The red-brick
paving was finished in 1349. It is
divided into nine sections,
DEL
MERCATO Fonte Gaia representing not only the
VIA DI SALICOTTO
The reliefs on the fountain authority of the council, but
are 19th-century copies of also the protective folds of the
the 15th-century originals Madonna’s cloak. The piazza has
VIA DUPRE
by Jacopo della Quercia. been the focus of city life ever
since, a setting for executions,
bullfights, and the drama of the
Palio. Cafés, restaurants, and fine
VISITORS’ CHECKLIST medieval palazzi now line the
square, which is dominated by
Practical Information the Palazzo Pubblico and the
* 60,000. Torre del Mangia.
n Piazza del Campo 56
(0577-28 05 51). ( Wed.
_ Palio (Jul 2, Aug 16); Estate
Musicale Chigiana – classical
music concerts (Jul–Sep).
∑ terresiena.it
. Palazzo Pubblico
The graceful Gothic town hall was Transport
completed in 1342. At 102 m (330 £ Piazzale Rosselli. @ Piazza
ft), the bell tower, the Torre del San Domenico.
Mangia, is the second highest Piazza del Campo, viewed from the top of
medieval tower ever built in Italy. the Torre del Mangia
390-391_EW_Europe.indd 391 14/07/16 10:16 am