Piazza Salimbeni is a compact, elegant square in Siena’s historic centre, a short walk north of Piazza del Campo. Quieter than its famous neighbour, it offers a composed architectural scene: three palaces frame a paved space centred on a statue of the Sienese economist and churchman Sallustio Bandini.
The square takes its name from the Salimbeni, a powerful medieval merchant-banking family. Their former palace, Palazzo Salimbeni, is now the headquarters of Monte dei Paschi di Siena, founded in 1472 and widely regarded as the world’s oldest surviving bank. Its Gothic appearance owes much to a 19th-century restoration by Giuseppe Partini. Renaissance Palazzo Spannocchi and Palazzo Tantucci complete the ensemble.
Piazza Salimbeni is worth visiting for the contrast between its brick Gothic façade and the more restrained Renaissance palaces, as well as for a glimpse of Siena’s financial history. Come in the morning or late afternoon for gentler light, and combine a stop here with a walk to Piazza del Campo or the Basilica of San Domenico. The square is open to the public, but Palazzo Salimbeni is a working bank, so don’t count on visiting its interior. Much of the historic centre is restricted to traffic; it’s easiest to arrive on foot.