Palazzo Pubblico, Gothic palace in Siena, Italy.
Palazzo Pubblico is a Gothic town hall on the central Piazza del Campo in Siena in Italy, recognizable by its curved facade made of stone and brick. The Torre del Mangia, a slender bell tower, rises from the side of the building and overlooks the entire piazza.
Construction began in 1297 under the Republic of Siena when the Council of Nine decided to establish their administrative seat here. During the 14th century, the tower was completed while the interior rooms were decorated with frescoes depicting the government ideal.
The name comes from "Pubblico" and reflects the civic authority of the medieval commune that built this town hall without church involvement. Inside the Sala del Mappamondo, visitors can see today the large frescoes that illustrate political ideals of that era.
The ground floor remains the town hall of Siena and is not always accessible to visitors, while the museum on the upper floor requires admission. The Sala dei Nove and other fresco rooms can become crowded during busy periods, so visiting early in the morning works well.
On the main facade, a bronze disc bearing the monogram of Christ is mounted, a rare religious display on a purely civic government seat. Inside, a mechanical clock from the 14th century still functions today and belongs to the oldest of its kind in Europe.
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