 Piazza
del Campo may be considered as one of Europe’s greatest medieval
squares. It is in the center of Siena and is still considered its
premier square. It is shell shaped. The city of Siena was formed
on three hills. The Piazza del Campo symbolically unites the three
hills on which this city is founded. It was built in the 13th century
and is paved with red brick and marble. It contains the famous Palazzo
Pubblico and the Torre del Mangia.
It stands grave and severe among the hustle and bustle of modern
life representing the municipal life and enterprise of the medieval
cities. It represents an era of lofty watchtowers and fortified
facades. This medieval square, which holds a lot of attraction to
the modern day tourist in Italy, has asymmetrical open spaces radiating
from the tower at one side.
 Originally
there was a fountain with the statue of the goddess Venus. But this
was considered a pagan influence and was blamed for an outbreak
of plague. So the statue was destroyed and the remains were buried
outside the city walls to ward of its evil influence. In the 15th
century the fountain of joy or Gaia fountain was built. It is a
major tourist attraction. It was designed and built by Jacopo della
Quercia.  It
is made entirely of white marble and is very beautiful. Many statues
adorn it. It has a statue of the Madonna in the middle and is surrounded
by statues of the Virtues. In the 1860’s the old statues were
replaced by copies retaining the late medieval feel of the square.
The palio horse races are held here year in July and August and
are also a part of the tourist attractions although the Gaia fountain
hold the pride of place.
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