The most impressive thing about San Gimignano is without a doubt the silhouette.
The many towers on a hill in the heart of the Chianti wine region are visible from afar, which is why the place has earned the somewhat tongue-in-cheek nickname "Manhattan of Tuscany." The towers do indeed date back to the Middle Ages; they are called "family towers" because they were built in competition between wealthy families.
Why are there so many towers?
It was about which family can finance and build the tallest tower. In historical days there were up to 72 towers in total that were erected as inhabited defense towers, not infrequently because of the dispute between families.
Even Dante tried for several years to reconcile the feuding noble families, but in vain. Finally, the Grand Duke of Florence put an end to this struggle for air supremacy. From 1563 onward, no further towers were allowed to be built; the disputes eventually ceased, and the 15 remaining towers have been preserved for us as historical witnesses. Thus, this unique medieval cityscape has been saved for our time.
San Gimignano in the province of Siena has just under 8.000 inhabitants, but in the high season tens of thousands of tourists overrun this small town, much to the dismay of the locals, who feel like they are in a living museum.
The weekly market takes place on Thursday mornings . It is held in Piazza Duomo and Piazza della Cisterna from 8 am to 13 pm.
Recommendation from Tuscany tour:
That is why we recommend that you look for a nice area in the area of S. Gimignano, which gives you an unobstructed view of the picturesque scenery at all times, and visit this medieval gem mainly in the early evening hours when you find the Piazza della Cisterna in contemplative peace is open.
San Gimignano Museum
Don't miss the San Gimignano Museum, which beautifully and vividly depicts the townscape in the 13th century, the town's golden age, and provides explanations for the constant feuds of this early period. The museum has numerous academic sponsors and supporters worldwide ( www.sangimignano1300.com ). For more information on San Gimignano, see our recommendations as part of the Chianti region tour.
Arrive by car
The drive to San Gimignano is almost entirely by road, through beautiful rural areas. Due to the lack of a connection to an expressway / motorway, a longer journey time is to be expected. Take this into account.
There are parking spaces around the city center of San Gimignano (the old town cannot be accessed by car). During the main holiday periods, the parking spaces can be full at lunchtime. It is therefore best to arrive earlier.
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