This piazza once the site of a roman forum, became the city’s central market place. Its spoke-like paving pattern was commissioned in 1349 by Siena’s then ruling body, the council of nine, to symbolize their power and the nine folds of the madonna’s cloak.
Since the piazza’s completion, it has remained the site of most of the city’s public events, including bullfights, executions, festivals, and the famous palio, a breakneck, bareback 90-second horserace that occurs twice a year.
In the summer, and especially at night, it turns into a huge open air living-room, where people sit, have a drink or an ice-cream, play music and talk. A fabulous space.