Once upon a time, Siena was as large as Paris. That was, of course, centuries ago, during the late Middle Ages and the early years of the Renaissance, before the plague epidemic of the mid-14th century, which killed between 75 and 200 million people between Europe, Asia, and North Africa, decimated the world’s population. 

Back then, Piazza del Campo was already the heart of the town. It was the center of all activities, the place where Senesi met, played, and discussed politics. Today, it’s still the same. Piazza del Campo remains Siena’s strongest connection to its past and a location for traditional events to take place: it’s here, and nowhere else, that twice a year the Senesi – and the world – meet to celebrate the Palio.