Located within the historic center of Sinalunga, this charming piazza was named in memory of Ser Pietro Biancalana, a man of the people and Sinalunga local who helped the troops of the Sienese Republic temporarily recapture their castle during a battle against the Florentine army in the 16ᵗʰ century. In fact, thanks to his knowledge of the village, Ser Pietro Biancalana was able to help the Sienese sneak in and free Sinalunga from occupation by Spanish troops in the service of Cosimo de’Medici.
It was once named “Piazza Padella” (“Frying Pan Square”), a popular designation for piazzas to which a single street leads, probably due to its resemblance to the handle of a frying pan.
In Piazza Biancalana is a house with a curiously half-open window. It is said that the house was inhabited by an old woman who would stand behind that window, spying on anyone who passed then gossiping about them! This window has existed as long as anyone can recall and was renovated by the Chianciano Terme Lions Group in 1987.