When traveling in Tuscany, it’s hard to decide which towns to visit. There are plenty of them, and each is unique in its own way. However, some places are much more memorable than others, such as San Gimignano.
Known as the Medieval Manhattan, San Gimignano is one of the most interesting towns in Tuscany, near Siena. It is famous for its distinctive buildings. Although today it has 14 tall buildings, in the past there were more than 70! The towers were used for shelter in case of raiding thieves and were mostly private.
I invite you to take a tour of San Gimignano, the City of Beautiful Towers.
Table of Contents
History of the City – Interesting Facts
Below, I will point out some interesting facts from the very long history of San Gimignano:
- In the 3rd century BC, there was a small Etruscan village on the site of today’s San Gimignano.
- In the 1st century, two patrician brothers, Muzio and Silvio, fleeing a plot against the Roman Republic, founded two castles – Mucchio and Silvia.
- In 450, the city’s name was changed to San Gimignano in honor of Bishop Geminianus, a saint of Modena, who saved the castle from destruction.
- During the Middle Ages and Renaissance, the city was mired in conflicts between the Guelphs and Ghibellines, as well as family rivalries.
- This rivalry led to the construction of residential towers of increasing height. By the end of the Middle Ages, there were 72 of them, with some reaching 70 meters in height. The city authorities restricted the construction of towers, establishing that none could be taller than the one next to the Palazzo Comunale.
- Interestingly, on May 9, 1300, San Gimignano hosted Dante Alighieri.
Many of you may wonder why such a prosperous city did not grow into a metropolis. The city flourished until 1348 when the Black Death (plague, one of the largest epidemics in human history) struck its residents. The epidemic decimated the population, and San Gimignano surrendered to Florence, causing many towers to be lowered to the height of houses. The town did not develop for centuries, and its tourist value began to be appreciated only in the 19th century.
Attractions of San Gimignano
The biggest attraction of San Gimignano is, of course, the aforementioned towers. The town has managed to preserve fourteen towers of varying heights, which I will list below:
- Campanile della Collegiata
- Torri degli Ardinghelli
- Torre dei Becci
- Torre Campatelli
- Torre Chigi (dating back to 1280)
- Torre dei Cugnanesi
- Torre del Diavolo
- Torre Ficherelli or Ficarelli
- Torre Grossa (from 1311), with a height of 54 meters
- Torre di Palazzo Pellari
- Casa-torre Pesciolini
- Torre Pettini
- Torre Rognosa, with a height of 51 meters
- Torri dei Salvucci
Among the city’s other recognizable landmarks, Piazza della Cisterna, the city’s main square, is noteworthy. With an interesting triangular shape, it is surrounded by medieval townhouses. In the center of the square is a well dating back to 1346, which at the time was the main source of water for residents.
Another famous square is the Cathedral Square, Piazza Duomo. The name of the square suggests that the church was a cathedral, but despite the plans, it was not. On top of it is the Collegiate Church (Collegiata Santa Maria Assunta). There are more churches, and other important buildings in the square are the Palazzo Comunale and the Palazzo Podesta – the mayor’s house, distinguished by its huge arcaded lodge.
San Gimignano – What to Do There?
Walking around this charming town is truly enjoyable. San Gimignano is not about visiting every point. The town is picturesque, located on a hill more than 300 meters above sea level and surrounded by city walls. Therefore, if you visit San Gimignano, be sure to take a walk along the walls; the views are amazing. From practically every place, you can see the Tuscan landscape.
Another vantage point would be the view from the Torre Grossa tower, but you’ll have to work a little hard to get up there ?.
If you feel like visiting museums, there are two: the Museo d’Arte Sacra, a museum of sacred art, and the Museum of Etruscan Art.
And if you’re in town, stop by Gelateria Dondoli for some delicious ice cream – many readers wrote that it was the best ice cream of their lives! The owner claims it’s the best ice cream in the world and has won numerous contests on the subject.
Accommodation in San Gimignano
Where to sleep in San Gimignano? There are quite a few places to stay in Tuscany, from agritourism to apartments to amazing hotels, so I’ll list the ones that are best-rated, unique, and may interest you. They are all located in the San Gimignano area.
The most interesting accommodation in the city would definitely be the famous 12th-century tower. The only one in San Gimignano suitable for accommodation. It is an unforgettable lodging, with an amazing terrace at the top. You can book it at this link.
If the tower is busy (after all, there is only one), be sure to check out:
Marvelous rooms with partly original decor, located in a building dating back to the 11th century, which you can book here.
A beautiful Tuscan hotel with a pool that will meet your highest expectations can be found at this link.
A superbly furnished apartment with a view of the city can be booked here.
Other accommodations in the city can be found at this link and on the map below:
Booking.comWhat to Do in Tuscany?
Of course, your exploration of the city is not over, but most tourists come here for one or two days at most. If you’re in San Gimignano, you definitely want to visit other interesting places in Tuscany. You can find my suggestions in the links below:
Tuscany Travel Guide: Discover Attractions and Interesting Places
Florence: A Comprehensive Guide to the Best Attractions
Leaning Tower of Pisa: What is Worth Knowing and Seeing?
Best Things to Do in Siena: A Must-Read Guide for Your Tuscany Adventure
