On the top of the square is located Fonte Gaia, whose name reminds the joy of the Senese to celebrate the first time that the water flowed in Piazza del Campo. Jacopo Della Quercia made it between the 1409 and the 1419: shaping marble sculptures and low relief, he realised one of the most considered artistic expressions of the italian Quattrocento. Today, the original marble objects are safeguarded in the Museo dell’Ospedale of Santa Maria della Scala, while in the square it is possible to admire an accurate reproduction made by Tito Sarrocchi in the 1869.

The impressive Palazzo Pubblico overlooks the square and it is one of the finest expression of gothic architecture. Built between the 1288 and 1342, has been the site of the government of Nine, while today there is the city administration. In the first half of the XIV century was built the Salone del Gran Consiglio along with the two side-wings, while the foundation stone of the Torre del Mangia was laid in 1325. The tower, 102 metres high, rises to the left of Palazzo Pubblico and its sides are perfectly oriented to the cardinal points. The median body of the façade is distributed on three levels, while the two-side wings has two levels. The lower section of the building shows the typically Senese arches, accommodated in an ogival window. In the center of the façade there is a rose window illustrating the monogram of Christ done in the 1425, made up by San Bernardino. Today, the Palazzo Pubblico hosts the Museo Civico where it is possible to admire several masterpieces of the Senese arts such as frescoes, paintings and sculptures.

In the largest room of the Palazzo, known as the Sala del Mappamondo, are preserved two Simone Martini’s chefs d’oeuvre: Guidoriccio da Fogliano all’assedio di Montemassi and the Maestà. The rest of the room is decorated with the marvellous frescoes of Vecchio and Sodomia. In the neighbouring room, the Sala della Pace, it is possible to admire the noted scenes of the Effetti del buono e del cattivo governo − the effects of good governance and of bad governance − magnificent example of political allegory. In the Museo Civico − Civic Museum − there are many masterpieces of Bernardino Rossellino, Domenico di Niccolò, Jacopo della Quercia, Spinello Aretino and Domenico Beccafumi, prestigious Senese and italian artists, in addition to the sumptuous sculptures of the famous Giovanni Duprè and of numerous other artists.

To the left of the Palazzo Pubblico rises the Torre del Mangia, shining example of a brick building with stone ornaments, 88 metres high (102 metres high at the lightening conductor), attributed to the famous Filippo Memmi and constructed by the Perugia-born Muccio and Francesco Di Rinaldo. It has been named after its first bell ringer, Giovanni di Duccio who was also known as Magiaguadagni. From the top of the tower, reachable by climbing 400 steps, it is possible to admire a magnificent view over the city and the neighbouring countryside.

Twice a year, on July 2nd and on August 16th, the square becomes the centre of the world and of the enthusiasm of the entire city: it is the Palio of Siena. The Contrade of Siena take to the streets for the ancientest and most picturesque horserace all over the world, during which the 17 historical Contrade of the city face each other. The race lasts three turns around the racetrack. The paving in serena stone of the square is covered by tuff whose consistency aim to allow the horses to run. The Contrade challenge each other passionately to conquer the «Drappellone», the commemorative banner. Based on an ancient agreement, Piazza del Campo and Palazzo Pubblico do not belong to any Contrada and they are part of the citizen patrimony.