Piazza del Campo

The Piazza del Campo, one of the finest medieval city squares in Europe, is the main open area of Siena's historic district in Tuscany, Italy. The wealthy Siena families' numerous palazzi signorili surround the shell-shaped plaza, which is surrounded by the Palazzo Pubblico and its renowned tower. It is recognized across the world for its elegance and structural stability. The shell-shaped plaza is surrounded by the Palazzo Pubblico and its Torre del Mangia as well as a number of palazzi signorili. The Fonte Gaia is located on the northwest side. Around the perimeter of the square is where the Palio di Siena, a twice-yearly horse race, is conducted. The annual Strade Bianche road cycling competition also has its finish line in the plaza.

The Castellare, the San Martino, and the Camollia were the three hillside settlements that came together to become Siena. The open site was a marketplace built before the thirteenth century on a sloping ground close to their meeting point. Although Siena may have had earlier Etruscan villages, there was not a significant Roman colony there, and contrary to popular belief, the campo does not sit on top of a Roman forum. The plaza was divided into 9 pieces in 1349 and paved with red brick in a fishbone pattern with 8 travertine lines radiating from the mouth of the gavinone (the main water drain) in front of the Palazzo Pubblico. The Campo has served as and continues to serve as the hub of city activity.

Location: Tuscany, Italy