Palazzo Comunale Palace

The Palazzo Comunale, commonly known as the Palazzo Pubblico, is Siena’s medieval city hall located on the Piazza del Campo in Tuscany. Construction of the palace began in 1297 and it has served as the seat of the city’s government since the late 13th century.

The palace forms one side of the shell-shaped Piazza del Campo and is immediately recognizable for its Gothic façade and adjoining tower. The complex includes the tall 14th-century bell tower, the Torre del Mangia, built between 1338 and 1348, and the civic museum with major fresco cycles. The site is also the focal point for the Palio di Siena, a historic horse race contested by 17 city districts.

The building was erected by the communal government of Siena beginning in 1297 and expanded in subsequent decades to house administrative chambers and public halls. Over the centuries the palace has been modified and repurposed while retaining its role as a civic symbol; major interior spaces preserve frescoes and civic art from the early 14th century.

The palace sits at the center of historic Siena, on the Piazza del Campo in the city center. It is about 70 km south of Florence and occupies a hilltop position in the Tuscan landscape, within easy walking distance of Siena’s main railway station and other city attractions.

• Palio di Siena: Held around the palace and the adjoining shell-shaped Piazza del Campo, the Palio di Siena involves the city’s 17 contrade and is run twice yearly, traditionally on 2 July and 16 August.
• Best viewpoint: Climbing the tower gives the best panoramic view of the city and the surrounding countryside; access is by stair and can be busy in high season, so mornings are quieter.

What to See#

• Palazzo Pubblico (main building): The main civic block begun in 1297 that faces the Piazza del Campo and contains the municipal rooms and public halls.
• Torre del Mangia: The 14th-century bell tower attached to the palace, erected between 1338 and 1348, offering panoramic views over Siena and the surrounding Tuscan hills.
• Museo Civico / Sala dei Nove: The palace’s civic museum preserves important early 14th-century frescoes, including Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s ‘Allegory of Good and Bad Government’ in the Sala dei Nove dating to about 1338-1339.

The palazzo is in a Tuscan town reachable via regional rail and bus services from cities such as Siena or Florence; local tourist offices provide precise approach details and opening times.

• If the palazzo is functioning as a municipal building, approach during weekday hours for interior access.
• Explore the surrounding piazza-often the social heart of these small Tuscan towns and where most local life happens.
• Consult the town's tourist office for small publications about the palazzo's art and architecture.