Torre del Mangia

Built in 1338-1348,[1] it is located in the Piazza del Campo, Siena's main square, next to the Palazzo Pubblico (Town Hall).

The tower was built to be exactly the same height as Siena Cathedral as a sign that the church and the state had equal power.

[nb 1] The name refers to its first bellringer, Giovanni di Balduccio, nicknamed Mangiaguadagni (‘Profit eater’) either for his spendthrift tendency,[4] idleness[5] or gluttony.

The corner pilasters attained their current form in 1378, the sculptures decorating them being executed in 1378-1382 by Mariano d'Angelo Romanelli e Bartolomeo di Tommé.

The simple wooden ceiling once covering the loggia was replaced by the current Renaissance marble vault in 1461-1468 by Antonio Federighi, also responsible for the bizarre decorations of the coronation.