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Palace · Siena, Toscana
Palazzo Pubblico
Siena's medieval town hall on Piazza del Campo, which houses the Museo Civico with Simone Martini's Maestà and the frescoes of the Good and Bad Government.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Palazzo Pubblico
Palazzo Pubblico, built in brick with the lower part in stone, was erected between the late 13th and early 14th centuries to house the government of the Republic of Siena. It is still the town hall today. The concave façade follows the curve of Piazza del Campo and the three-arched windows became a model for the other palaces on the square.
On the first floor is the Museo Civico. In the Sala del Mappamondo is Simone Martini's Maestà, from 1315, a Virgin with Child under a canopy surrounded by saints, and on the opposite wall the fresco of the knight Guidoriccio da Fogliano.
In the Sala della Pace are Ambrogio Lorenzetti's frescoes, painted around 1338, known as the Allegory of Good and Bad Government. On one side, the well-governed city has commerce, festivals and cultivated fields; on the other, bad government brings ruin. They are among the earliest representations of city and landscape in European painting.
Through the inner courtyard, the Cortile del Podestà, you can also access the Torre del Mangia, which has a separate ticket. At the base of the palace, facing the square, is the Cappella di Piazza, built after the plague of 1348.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
About one to one and a half hours for the Museo Civico.
Best time
Right at opening or late in the afternoon. On Palio days and during the trial races, access and opening hours change: check before you go.
How to get there
The entrance is on Piazza del Campo itself, via the Cortile del Podestà, to the right of the Torre del Mangia when facing the façade.
Tip
There is a combined ticket for the Museo Civico and the Torre del Mangia. Do the museum first and climb the tower afterwards, checking the day's capacity.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Palazzo Pubblico
What to see in the Museo Civico of Siena?
The Maestà by Simone Martini, the Guidoriccio da Fogliano fresco in the Sala del Mappamondo, and Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s Allegory of Good and Bad Government in the Sala della Pace.
Is the Palazzo Pubblico still the town hall?
Yes. The palace is still the seat of Siena’s town hall, and the museum occupies the historic rooms on the first floor.
Does the museum ticket include the tower?
There is a combined ticket, but the tower is also sold separately and has a daily visitor limit. Check the options at the ticket office.
How long does the visit take?
About one to one and a half hours in the museum, plus half an hour if you climb the tower.