The literal heart of Siena — the point where Banchi di Sopra, Banchi di Sotto, and Via di Città meet, marking the junction of the three ridges on which the city was built. The Loggia della Mercanzia overhangs the meeting point; the Campo opens off to the south down the gentle ramp of Vicolo di San Pietro.
The name — "Cross of Hardship" — probably refers to the difficulty of medieval traffic squeezing through this narrow choke point. It remains the city's central pivot, with all walking routes effectively passing through.