Home /
Location Guide /
Tuscany /
San Gimignano
The quaint walled city of San Gimignano in hilly Tuscany, central Italy has distinctive landscapes defined by its famous medieval towers.
Perched on a hill in the Elsa Valley, San Gimignano’s visitors travelling from outside the city can view this scenic skyline against the sunset with its rows of grape vines in the valley.
Named after the Bishop of Modena, Saint Gimignano (Geminianus), the city was said to have been saved by him when faced with Hun barbarians in the 10th Century.
Later on as part of the pilgrim’s route in the Middle Ages towards Christian centers of Rome and the Vatican, the town grew both in wealth and cultural heritage, as evidenced in the towers and religious landmarks that speak volumes of artistry. Related to the outburst of culture during the Renaissance in nearby Florence, Siena and Pisa, so has San Gimignano’s streets and monuments carry the spirit of Italian art.
The journey back in time begins at the ancient Gate of San Giovanni from the 13th Century, with its segmented arches that remind travellers of the nearby gates the circumscribe the nearby town of Siena. Through these gates, lies Via San Giovanni, the mainstreet of the city that can be explored on foot.
The Piazza del Duomo is the central square of the city where the town hall and its magnificent stone towers are located, along with the Piazza della Cisterna with its charming old well. Its fishbone pavement still stands, carrying the weight of pilgrims and visitors from all over, especially on Thursday mornings when the local farmers’ market convenes.
Saffron and white wines are San Gimignano staple on the tables. There is local spumante from the Falchini winery, over zuppa di cipolla (an onion soup made with the new red onions nd then thickened with bread cubes and fresh pecorino cheese) to begin a relaxing meal with friendly locals.
