Few buildings in Europe are more picturesquely fascinating than the palace of Siena, with its outlook over hill and dale to cloud-capped Monte Amiata.

Yet, in spite of its unparalleled position on the curved and sloping piazza, where the _contrade_ of Siena have run their _palio_ for centuries, this palace lacks the vivid interest attaching to the home Arnolfo raised at Florence for the rulers of his native city.

During their term of office the Priors never quitted the Palace of the Signory.

All deliberations on state affairs took place within its walls, and its bell was the pulse that told how the heart of Florence throbbed.

The architect of this huge mass of masonry was Arnolfo del Cambio, one of the greatest builders of the Middle Ages, a man who may be called the Michael Angelo of the thirteenth century[16].