Public Palace

Built between 1297 and 1310, this elegant red-brick palace has always been one of Siena's most important buildings. In the past it housed the 'Government of the Nine' of the Republic of Siena. Today, it is home to the City Hall and the Civic Museum, rich in frescoes and sculptures by famous Tuscan artists, including the fresco cycle 'Allegory and Effects of Good and Bad Government' by Ambrogio Lorenzetti, which decorates the Sala dei Nove, where the governors of theRepublic of Siena used to welcome their guests, and 'La Maestà' by Simone Martini, located in another splendid room of the palace, the Sala del Mappamondo.

Next to the Palazzo Pubblico rises the Torre del Mangia, 88 metres high and built between 1338 and 1348. A bell called the 'Campanone' was added in the second half of the 17th century. The tower's name is said to derive from its bell-ringer, nicknamed the 'Mangia Guadagni' (later just 'Mangia') because he was said to have a vice of spending all his wages in the city's taverns. To climb to the top of the tower, you have to tackle no less than 400 steps, but the view repays any effort. At the foot of the tower is a 14th-century marble tabernacle called the Cappella di Piazza.

The main entrance of the palace leads to the Cortile del Podestà, where you will also find the entrance to the Museo Civico and the Torre del Mangia. This is a very 'Instagrammable' place: set up in the middle of the courtyard and take a picture of the Torre del Mangia framed by the walls of the Palazzo Pubblico.

Opening times

Always up-to-date openings available on the official website

Price:

Full price: € 6.00

Reduced (educational institutions, school groups): € 4.50 without reservation / € 4.00 with reservation

Family (2 adults + children over 11 years): € 22,00

Free for residents in the Municipality of Siena, children under 11, public schools and Sienese universities, teachers and accompanying persons (1 accompanying person for each group of at least 10 people), disabled persons and accompanying persons, journalists.

Combined tickets:

• Civic Museum + Santa Maria della Scala: € 14,00 (valid for 2 days)
• Civic Museum + Torre del Mangia: € 15,00 (valid for 1 day):
• Civic Museum + Santa Maria della Scala + Torre del Mangia: € 20,00 (valid 2 days)
• Family (2 adults + children over 11 years old): € 40.00 (valid 2 days)

Integrated tickets:

• Civic Museum + Santa Maria della Scala + Siena National Picture Gallery: € 19,00
• Civic Museum + Santa Maria della Scala + Mangia Tower + Siena National Art Gallery: € 24,00