SAN GIMIGNANO

Situated in the heart of Tuscany, lies the MEDIEVAL TOWN OF SAN GIMIGNANO, located between SIENA, FLORENCE and TUSCANY, three of the most famous cities that are heavily influenced in culture and traditions from a historic age.

 

The base of the small Etruscan village dates from the Hellinistic period, its history started around the 10th century on a hill 334 meters above sea level surrounded by a beautiful landscape, dominating the River Elsa Valley.

 

San Gimignano is a city of UNCOMMON BEAUTY, with its proud towers, shining in the sky like a star. Surrounded by green hills, the historic village offers a exquisite cultural experience to its visitors...

 

“The Town of the Fine Towers”, as it has been called, well deserves this name because it appears in all its splendour as it comes in to view, with its tall towers rearing towards the heavens. San Gimignano, enclosed by two walls running around the town is a cultural haven with its architectural beauty and narrow streets, the fountains and the castle dating back to the XII century.

 

One could easily be transported back in time where the people of San Gimignano, adorned in their midieval costumes, practiced their traditional rituals.

 

This is SAN GIMIGNANO with all its beauty and charm, standing there adorned in the medieval colour, a patina which reflects the traditions of times gone by which renders the visitors this unique experience. It is really all of this, simple yet fable like at the same time, which has made San Gimignano a small but precious jewel of Tuscany.

 

The town of San Gimignano, takes its name from the Holy Bishop of Modena, GIMIGNANO, who saved the city from the barbarians. The city had an important demographic and trade development due to its excellent geographic position. From San Gimignano the Francigena Road connected Rome to the rest of Europe. During the years 1000, 1200, and 1300, San Gimignano had an important economic, cultural and trade development.

 

The merchants sold the fruits of the soil, the local handcrafted products derived from wool, woven garments, saffron and wine, Vernaccia and olive oil. There were intensive cultural and trade contacts with many a kin. The pilgrims and merchants of European cities, along with students (clerici vagantes), preachers and bishops, princes, stone and timber merchants, painters and artists. In this “golden period” San Gimignano had an important artistic development and the works of art flourished (from the Siena gothic art to the Florentine Renaissance) seen in all its decorated churches and convents. The richest families of the city showed off their wealth and their power constructing high towers. These towers, still today, differentiate San Gimignano from other medieval town and present a spectacle for the tourists.