Built between 1297 and 1309 to serve as the seat of Siena’s communal government, the Palazzo Pubblico still functions as city hall today. Its tripartite design was meant to reflect the three branches of medieval Sienese government – judicial, legislative, and executive. The judicial branch is symbolized by the handsome courtyard of the Podestà. The legislative by the Sala del Gran Consiglio (Hall of the Great Council.) While the nine members of the Siena’s executive council met in the Sala dei Nove (Hall of the Nine.) Beyond the beauty of its architecture, the building exceptionally preserves much of its original medieval decoration including Simone Martini’s “Maestà” and Ambrogio Lorenzetti’s “Allegory of Good and Bad Government.” Buona visita!