Mangia Tower (Torre del Mangia)

Rising high above Piazza del Campo (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) is Torre del Mangia, a bell tower built between 1338 and 1348. It reaches nearly 300 feet (90 meters) above Palazzo Pubblico and was built to be the same height as the city’s Duomo to indicate church and state equality. The two towers still stand in historic Siena.

Take in the bell tower and other highlights in Piazza del Campo on a walking or Segway tour of Siena’s historic center. Many Siena tours also include skip-the-line tickets to Siena’s Duomo, a Gothic masterpiece. Siena is a popular day trip from Rome and Florence, and many tours include stops in San Gimignano and Pisa.

• The shell-shaped Piazza del Campo is one of Italy's most unusual, and it's particularly beautiful from above.

• The top of the tower is only accessible via a climb of more than 300 steps—a trip that's not recommended if you fear heights or cramped spaces.

• The square below is accessible to wheelchair users and offers a view of the bell tower.

• Kids especially love the thrill of climbing to the top of the tower for a bird’s-eye view.

• Stop at one of the cafes and restaurants lining Piazza del Campo around the tower for a snack or meal.

Piazza del Campo is in the heart of Siena’s old town, and you can reach the square by foot or bus from the train station. Joining a small-group or private tour that includes transportation is a convenient way to visit, and it also lets you explore nearby Tuscan villages with ease.

Torre del Mangia offers views over Siena and the surrounding countryside. Climb to the top in the early morning or late afternoon for the best light and photographs.

Torre del Mangia translates as Tower of the Eater. The name is a reference to the tower's first bell ringer, Giovanni di Balduccio, who was famous for "eating his earnings," in particular by spending them on good food, according to local lore. While a mechanical clock installation in 1360 eliminated the job, the name stuck.