Palazzo Pubblico in Piazza del Campo

Palazzo Pubblico is one of the most important and majestic monuments of the city of Siena.

This extraordinary building in Gothic style has been the seat of the Sienese government for over 700 years.

In fact, starting from the mythical Government of the Nine up to the public administrations of our day, every political decision concerning the city of Siena has always been taken inside the magnificent rooms of this monumental Palace.

Palazzo Pubblico dominates Piazza del Campo, a tourist spot of Siena, which also includes the famous Torre del Mangia.

This spectacular building of the fourteenth century during the day give its shadow to the red bricks of the entire square.

The Torre dei Mangia is 88 meters high and is located on the left side of Palazzo Pubblico. Once up the 400 steps, you can admire a breathtaking view of Piazza del Campo and the distant and gentle hills of Siena.

The building is located in Piazza del Campo and its construction took place between the twelfth and fourteenth centuries: the work began in fact in 1288 and ended in about 1310.

If you look closely at the facade you can clearly see the different phases of the construction, with the base of the Palazzo in travertine and the upper part in red brick.

The importance of the building was immediately recognized by the Government of the Nine, which immediately after the end of the work issued an edict that invited anyone who wanted to erect a building with similar characteristics to the Palazzo Pubblico to take into account this majestic and elegant construction.

Over the centuries, the Palazzo Pubblico has undergone only minimal restoration work at the end of the seventeenth century by Carlo Fontana, for the rest the structure has remained unchanged.On the facade of the Palazzo Pubblico di Siena three crests representing the Medici, the Monogram of Christ with reference to the preaching of San Bernardino and the symbol with the Roman Lupa are clearly visible, a clear allusion to the foundation of Siena by the nephews of Romulus.Instead the construction of the Loggia located on the facade of the Palace has a very particular history that deserves to be deepened.

The Nine rulers of Siena who pushed for the construction of the Palazzo Pubblico could not leave the building for the duration of their public office, quantified in 6 months.

For this reason they built a balcony that overlooked Piazza del Mercato, called precisely the Loggia dei Nove, where you can deeply breathe a little ‘city air.

The Palazzo Pubblico of Siena does not only decide the political fortunes of Siena, but also houses the prestigious Civic Museum, which protects paintings by artists such as Simone Martini and Ambrogio Lorenzetti.

The most important hall of the Civic Museum is the Sala del Mappamondo, which takes its name from the imposing globe of Ambrogio Lorenzetti that represented Siena in its grandeur, which has been lost for more than 3 centuries.

In this room is also preserved the most grandiose work of Simone Martini: the Majesty.

This extraordinary painting in honor of the Virgin was realized at the beginning of the XIV century and sees the Madonna in the center of the painting, seated on a throne and surrounded by a handful of saints.In the foreground, some angels offer flowers to her, while the Saints of Siena exhort her with supplications to protect the city against misfortunes and natural calamities.

Another very important room is the Sala dei Nove, with inside it the masterpiece of Ambrogio Lorenzetti: the Allegory of Good and Bad Government.

This work is the first pictorial cycle with a non-religious background and was commissioned by the Government of the Nine to remember the florid ideals of a political guide that from 1287 to 1355 had transformed Siena into a rich and powerful city.The painting depicts the separation of powers, citizen participation and military force: 3 fundamental elements that underlie the “Good Government” of a city.

Two other things to see are the Chapel and the Quadreria.

Inside the chapel there is a cycle of 5 frescoes by Taddeo di Bartolo depicting the Annunciation, located above the altar, and 4 large scenes on the left wall: the leave of the Apostles, the funeral of the Virgin, death of the Virgin and the Assumption.

On the other hand, the Quadreria of the Palazzo Pubblico houses numerous collections of detached frescoes, tables and paintings by Sienese artists, Italians and foreigners.

Among the most important works we mention “Samaritana al pozzo” by Mattia Preti, “Madonna and Child, Saints and Angels” by the Venetian Brusasorzi, the “Cataletto” by Bartolomeo di David and a “Madonna with Child and Angels” by Andrea Piccinelli Brescianino.

Palazzo Pubblico is one of the most important attractions of Siena and if you want to see them all you should stay in a hotel near Piazza del Campo.

The Minerva is a hotel in Siena near Piazza del Campo, in the historic center and in the non-ZTL area.

It is a comfortable 3-star hotel as it has a 20-seat indoor parking, a garage with direct access to the hall.

The Minerva is also famous in Siena for the many rooms with a panoramic view of the city center.

Find out by scrolling the site and if you book (just call) you will always have guaranteed the lowest price.

Come visit. We are waiting for you!