If you can see its stone towers proudly dominating the hills from afar, you cannot be wrong, it is San Gimignano, an emblematic village of medieval Tuscany.
This small tourist town of about 7,000 inhabitants is located in the province of Siena. It is known for its unique medieval architecture, a heritage for which it was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage list.
Of its 72 towers that were built in the middle ages, there are still 13 of them remaining, most of which were destroyed in civil wars and battles. The tallest of its towers is the Torre Grossa which was built in the early 14th century, 54 metres high.
Many other cities in Tuscany, much more important than San Gimignano, also had many towers, such as Florence or Pisa, but also Bologna beyond the region. However, they do not retain any more.
The charming historic centre is made up of a maze of alleys, picturesque squares and medieval monuments, including old palaces such as the Communal Palace, and several museums. The cathedral is located on the Via Francigena, which is often visited by groups of tourists coming from Florence, but at the end of the day there are fewer people and the city is more pleasant.
Things to do and see in San Gimignano
Piazza Duomo
The Piazza Duomo is a remarkable architectural complex with its cathedral, palaces and towers, including the Town Hall with its characteristic façade, between the Torre Grossa tower and the Loggia del Comune. Before the 14th century, the Podestà of the city lived in the Palazzo vecchio del Podestà opposite the cathedral, with the powerful Torre Rognosa tower and the beautiful Torre Chigi tower. Also located are the two Salvucci Towers.
Cathedral
The Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta, Cathedral of San Gimignano, is a beautiful church located on Piazza Duomo, preceded by a staircase. It dates back to the 10th century, its current appearance being inherited from the expansion of the late 15th century.
It was restored after the bombing during the Second World War.
The 12th century Romanesque façade is sober with its three rosettes, but the interior retains rich frescoes adorning the vault and the walls of the three naves. They were mainly made by the brothers Lippo and Federico Memmi and Bartolo di Fredi, with scenes from the Old Testament in particular.
The beautiful Chapel of Santa Fina tells the story of the difficult life of Santa Fina, with frescoes by Ghirlandaio.
It also provides access to the Museum of Sacred Art.
Piazza della Cisterna
The Piazza della Cisterna is the most beautiful square in San Gimignano, at the top of the city and adjoining to Piazza Duomo where a passage leads. It is triangular and lively with its shops and cafes, where the historic market was held. It charms with its medieval buildings including the Arco dei Becci arch which is one of the ancient gates of the city, palaces, including Tortoli Palace with its pretty 14th century windows, and several towers such as the twin towers of the Ardinghelli, the Devil’s Tower and the Pellari Tower. An octagonal well occupies the center.
Communal Palace
In piazza Duomo the Palazzo comunale has a characteristic façade between the Torre Grossa and the Loggia del Comune. It was the heart of the civil power, also referred to as Palazzo del Popolo or Palazzo del Podestà. Before the fourteenth century the Podestà of the city lived in the Palazzo vecchio del Podestà opposite the cathedral.
It is the main seat of the municipal museums that preserves splendid works of art from the Sienese and Florentine schools, as well as masters such as Pinturicchio or Filippono Lippi, and also frescoes and sculptures. The cistern and frescoes of Sodoma are in the courtyard, then you can also visit the rooms of the palace, including the Dante Room decorated by Lippo Memmi in 1317 and hunting scenes dedicated to Charles of Anjou, the Secret Assemblies, and the Pinacoteca, with works by Pinturicchio, Gozzoli, Lippi, and the climb to the highest tower of the city with its remarkable panorama.
San Gimignano municipal museums
The Civic Museums of San Gimignano include several sites in San Gimignano: the Museum of the Municipal Palace, the Pinacotheque, the Torre Grossa tower, the Santa Fina Spezieria, the Archaeological Museum and the Church of San Lorenzo in Ponte.
The main seat is at the Palazzo del Popolo, leading to the Torre Grossa and the Pinacoteca.
The former Conservatorio di Santa Chiara houses the Spezieria of Santa Fina with a collection of pharmacy vases (from the 15th to the 18th century), as well as the Archaeological Museum with objects from the Etruscan era, and the Raffaele de Grada Contemporary Art Gallery, including works by Guttuso, Sironi, Carrà, De Chirico.
Salvucci Towers
The twin Salvucci towers are located in Piazza delle Erbe, near Piazza Duomo. Square-shaped, they date back to the 13th century, built by the Salvucci family, the most important Guelfe family in San Gimignano, rich merchants who had made a fortune with usury. These towers competed with those of the Ardinghelli who were just opposite Piazza Duomo.
The tallest tower can be visited with its 11 floors connected by narrow stairs that lead to the panoramic terrace with a superb view over the city and the hills.
Rocca Castle and Park
The Montestaffoli Castle was built after the submission to Florence to protect itself from the attacks of Siena.
In this green park, the remains are meager but from the surviving tower you can enjoy a superb view of San Gimignano and the Valdelsa.
Photo Gallery
Medieval Sources
These sources just outside the walls date back to the 12th century, located in a slope, with characteristic Gothic and Romanesque arcades, basins fed by a source.
Church of San Lorenzo in Ponte
The medieval church of San Lorenzo in Ponte is entirely decorated with a cycle of frescoes with the theme of hell, purgatory and paradise.
Chiesa Sant’Agostino
Pretty church with the vaulted frescoed by Sebastiano Mainardi, representing the doctors of the church (Ambrose, Augustine, Jerome and Gregory), the Coronation of Maria del Pollaiolo, or the Stories of the life of St Augustine by Benozzo Gozzoli.
Gallery
Where is San Gimignano, map
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