Torre del Mangia, Siena
When you visit Siena you cannot fail to notice the Torre del Mangia, a tall medieval tower that forms part of the Palazzo Civico, Siena’s medieval town hall. The Palazzo Civico (and the Torre del Mangia) dominate the Campo, the central piazza. The last time I climbed the tower I was with friends with young boys and climbing the tower was the highlight of their visit
The Torre del Mangia in Siena, Tuscany
Around 400 steps!
Only a few people are allowed up the tower at any one time to climb around 400 steps (I lost count) to the top.
The Torre del Mangia seen from the courtyard inside the Palazzo Civico
Warning, There May Be A Queue!
When the tourist season is in full flow you can wait for a long time before you get the chance to climb. I haven’t been up since the autumn of 2009 when these pictures were taken, if the queue isn’t too long it’s a great thing to do with children and a very memorable way to spend half an hour – this was late October and not many people were around.
The Duomo viewed from the Torre del Mangia, Siena, Tuscany
If there is a long queue here visit the Museo dell’ Opera del Duomo and climb to the top of the unfinished facade of the Duomo extension for another spectacular aerial view of the city, albeit not quite as high up.
The Campo in Siena viewed from the top of the Torre del Mangia