Piazza del Campo Siena - Tourist Attraction in Siena Italy

This square is located in the centre of Siena. Called a square (Piazza) it is in fact a semi circle. Its design represents Siena's medieval "Government of Nine". It also catches rain water for the town to make use of.

History tells us this site was originally a Roman forum. Its medieval past is represented today by 2 lovely buildings and a fountain. An ancient pagan symbol, a statue of Venus, was destroyed and replaced by the Fountain of Joy. This new fountain was designed to symbolize christian beliefs.

The world famous Palio di Siena is held here every year. The square takes on a whole new character, as does the rest of the town, at this time. Railings and seating are put up all around the square. The centre of the square is made into a public arena from where most spectators will watch the horses race.

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Il Campo - The Heart of Siena

Piazza del Campo is often called Il Campo by locals. This translates to "The Field" in English. It has been at the heart of Sienese life since the Middle Ages.

It is here that:

• The people of Siena held their market in ages past.
• The town hall is situated here (the Palazzo Pubblico).
• Daredevil events involving buffalo and bull chases took place.
• A horse race (The Palio di Siena) is held.

Design

The square's design is unique. It's semicircular in form and thus, not realy a square in anything but name. It fans out and up from the Palazzo Pubblico at the bottom.

Paving was first added in the 1300s. There is a huge shell-shaped motif on the paving. This scallop-like pattern comprises a red brick herringbone layout. It is intersected by nine white travertine lines.

These lines relate to Siena's medieval rulers, the Government of Nine. They presided over the city from 1292 to 1355. The square's slight tilt gives it the feel of an amphitheatre. Shows were and still are regularly staged here. The incline also serves a pragmatic purpose.

Siena Needed Water

Siena is one of the few ancient settlements not to have been built adjacent a lake or river. Therefore the city has have alternative methods of getting water. Rainwater landing on the square runs down the slope. It is collected in large cisterns placed in the city's subterranean canal system.

History of Piazza del Campo

The Piazza was first laid out in the 12th century on the site of an old Roman forum. This had long been used to host fairs and markets.

When the Campo was first built, it could accommodate the entire population of the town. Nowadays it can still pack 30,000 of its 50,000 residents in for the festivities.

Medieval Survivers in the Square

Despite the protective railings, what we see today is a 19th-century reproduction; some badly eroded parts can be seen in the Palazzo Publico, however, and many more (in far better shape) in the Spedale di Santa Maria Della Scala.

The surviving medival buildings are the town hall, its tower (Torre del Mangia) and the Palazzo Sansedoni. The later is a a 13th-century crenellated curved edifice shaded in characteristic "burnt sienna".

Fonte Gaia Siena Fountain of Joy

The Campo's most alluring accessory, especially on a hot day, is its fountain, the Fonte Gaia. This translates as Fountain of Joy in English.

It was designed and built in white marble by Jacopo della Quercia in the 14th century. The Fonte replaced the original statue of Venus. This statue, on account of being a pagan icon, was blamed for the outbreak of the Black Death. It was subsequently smashed and buried outside the city walls.

The commissioners of the town played it safe with the new fitting. The fountain has a relief of the Madonna at its centre. This is flanked with allegorical representations of the Christian Virtues.