Siena Main Square (Piazza del Campo)

The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo lies at the heart of Siena and has served as a focus for life in the city for centuries. The Palazzo Pubblico (Town Hall), which stands proudly at the top of the piazza, was constructed between 1297 and 1310 as the seat of the Governo dei Nove, or Government of Nine, who ruled Siena from 1287-1355. The interior of the building, which is now the Museo Civico (Civic Museum), contains many paintings by Sienese masters such as Simone Martini and Ambrogio Lorenzetti, as well as the remains of the Gaia Fountain. Next to the Palazzo Pubblico stands the Torre del Mangia (Mangia Tower), a belltower which rises to 102m (334ft); visitors can climb to the top for views of the winding cobbled streets which fan out from the piazza, and timeless vistas of the Tuscan countryside.
Air: Pisa Galileo Galilei Airport. Rail: Train: Siena Station. Road: Bus: Public services. Car: A1 (from Rome, exit Valdichiana); Superstrada del Palio (from Florence); A12 (from Genoa). The historic centre of Siena is pedestrianised.