A beautiful fan-shaped square, "Piazza del Campo." In hot days please
enjoy chatting and lying on the slopes.
It is said that the Piazza del Campo is the world's most beautiful square. A
gentle slope continues towards the City Hall "Palazzo Pubblico" in
the center, and that fan-shaped square surrounded by medieval magnificent buildings
let you feel the power and authority of Siena at the time.
In the center of the square there is the "Fountain Gaia (Fonte Gaia)" by Jacopo della Quercia. And here, every year the traditional Palio horse race is held on 2nd July and 16th August.
Powerful Palio. It's a passionate pastime for people of Siena.
Every year on 2nd July and 16th August the traditional world-renowned Palio is
held in Siena. It's a horse race game among each area called Contrada, and all
local people of Siena become incredibly enthusiastic. Each Contrada raises its
own flag during the game, and the local people wear scarves of their Contrada's
design.
Palio is a game held only twice a year, and with a long history, so when it's held the people become several times more dangerous and fanatic.
For tourists, it would be a valuable occasion if you can see the Palio. Most of hotel rooms will be reserved about six months before so please be ready! On the day of the Palio, at the outside of the square many stand-seats will be set and you can purchase a ticket at the tourist information. The square is free admission, however adequate preparation is required because you need to keep your place in advance enough and there would be no shade.
The
first experience of Palio was powerful and attractive!! Please read "Watching
diary of Palio".
We watched the Palio for the first time in August 2004. We waited about at
10 am in the square, the sun was very hot and strong. We emptied 2L PET bottles
of water. Since we could not leave the square so just be patient! But all of
our these efforts became worth. Palio was very impressive, you can see also the
parade in medieval costumes before the racing competition. The heat at the moment
of goal was no less than other sports.
(May 2006)
This Gothic town hall of Siena can be said as a symbol. Built in the late 13th
century and early 14th centuries, the bottom part formed in Arch is made by stone,
and the upper part is brick. On the left side, the "Tower of Manja (Torre
del Mangia) of the mid-14th century is standing. This name came from the boss
of bell ringers in the medieval period. From the top of the tower of more than
100 meters, you can overlook the town paying the admission fee.
We climed up a tower at Manja in Siena. In front of the entrance we had to wait about 15 minutes and then inside we left the baggages in the coin locker room. That makes possible to let pass the people up and down on the narrow stairs. We climbed with only a digital camera. The coins used for the locker room will come back later.
Because there are long narrow staircases, it's a tiring way to the top. On
the first and second floors the strong wind is a little bit scary, but the view
from the top is great. The bell of the tower is still running so why don't you
wait its ring enjoing the panorama.
(July 2007)
This museum is located in the palace built in the glory period of Siena and the
whole building is an opera of art. There are halls called "Unification of
Italy," "Barrier", "A map of the world (Sala del Mappamondo)", "Peace
(Sala della Pace)" where valuable frescos are left on the wall. A part of
the second floor and whole third floor are the City Museum. Here are conserved
many sculptures and potteries, also the original "Gaia Fountain (Fonte Gaia)" in
the Piazza del Campo. From the third floor it's possible to overlook the town
of Siena.
Another eye-catching architecture like the "Palazzo Pubblico" is Italian
Gothic Cathedral, or Duomo. The construction was started in the mid 12th century
and completed 200 years later. The top level leading artists at that time like
Nicola Pisano, Michelangelo, and Donatello projected and decorated this Duomo.
One of the most notably paintings is the religious one decorated with 56 finely inlaid marble. Then please check also the altar of Piccolomini and frescoes of Pinturicchio.
Piazza del Campo is really beautiful. Most of tourists are sitting here, relaxing and healing the tiredness. Buy Panini in a bakery nearby. Red brick pedestal in the center of the square is a good scenery while enjoying great meal. I recommend you to take a lunch outside in this square, like a picnic!
(October 2004)