Summary
San Gimignano, known as the City of Beautiful Towers, is a classic medieval walled hill town in Tuscany. Its 14 surviving medieval towers create a beautiful skyline visible from the surrounding countryside. The historic center is a UNESCO world heritage site for its architecture. During the middle ages, the town was an important center for trade and for pilgrims traveling to or from Rome on the Via Francigena.
Getting to San Gimignano
San Gimignano is 56km southwest of Florence in the Siena Province of Tuscany and about 70km from Italy’s west coast.
To get to San Gimignano using public transportation, take a bus or train from Siena or Florence to Poggibonsi. From Poggibonsi, frequent buses are available. The 20-minute bus ride drops you in Piazzale del Martiri near Porta San Giovanni. Go through the gate and walk up Via San Giovanni, which is lined with souvenir shops, leading to the town’s center, Piazza della Cisterna.
If you prefer to drive, take the Firenze-Siena road, exit at Poggibonsi Nord, and follow the signs to San Gimignano. There are parking lots located just outside the city walls. Exploring the town on foot is highly recommended for the best experience.
Where to Stay
While San Gimignano can be easily visited as a day trip from Siena or Florence, it is best appreciated in the evening after the tourist buses leave. Accommodations may be less costly here as well. Hotel Bel Soggiorno is a comfortable family-run hotel located inside the walls of the historic center, and most rooms and the restaurant offer great views of the countryside.
Food and Wine
San Gimignano was once a significant grower of crocuses to produce saffron, which they exported. Although there are still a few small saffron producers, today the main product is a white wine called Vernaccia, made from grapes grown in the surrounding vineyards. You can sample this local specialty at various venues around town.
Despite its small size, San Gimignano boasts numerous restaurants serving traditional Tuscan food—at least a dozen can be found in the center, with many others located in the countryside. You can also stock up on picnic items and a bottle of wine for a delightful picnic near the historic Rocca.
San Gimignano’s Towers
Originally, San Gimignano featured 72 towers, erected by wealthy patrician families as a display of their affluence and power. Seven of the remaining towers surround Piazza del Duomo. The tallest among them is Torre Grossa, soaring to a height of 54 meters (177 feet) and dating back to 1298. Visitors can ascend to the top of Torre Grossa for spectacular views of the town and the idyllic countryside.
Opposite the Duomo, you will find Torre della Rognosa, which stands at 50 meters high and is one of the oldest towers, rising from the original town hall building, Palazzo del Podesta. Edicts from the time prohibited anyone from constructing a tower taller than Torre della Rognosa, yet several affluent families acquired nearby lots to raise similar towers.
Local Attractions
In addition to its iconic towers, the historic center of San Gimignano features several fascinating tourist attractions:
- La Collegiata – The 11th-century duomo, la Collegiata, adorns its interior with lavish 14th-century frescoes depicting the Life of Christ and the Old Testament. In the Chapel of Santa Fina, a 15th-century fresco illustrates San Gimignano’s towers as they appeared at that time.
- Palazzo del Popolo Civic Museum – Situated in the Palazzo del Popolo, this museum showcases outstanding artwork and frescoes from the 13th to 15th centuries, including the renowned Sala di Dante featuring frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli.
- Torture Museum – The Museo della Tortura, located inside Torre della Diavola, hosts a comprehensive exhibit of torture instruments, some of which remain in use today across various parts of the world.
- Archaeology Museum – Housed within a former convent, the Museo Archeologico features a modest collection of Etruscan artifacts, the earliest civilization to occupy the area now known as San Gimignano.
- Museum of Sacred Art – This museum displays a small collection of religious art, including 14th-century illuminated choir books.
- Sant’Agostino – The quaint 13th-century church of Sant’Agostino offers charming frescoes, an elaborate marble altar, and a 15th-century carved tomb of San Bartolo, making it a worthwhile visit.
- La Rocca – Explore the remnants of the 14th-century fortress located above the town, offering breathtaking views of San Gimignano’s towers and picturesque countryside. A hill walk from Piazza delle Erbe leads you there, where summers bring a wine museum and outdoor cinema
- Medieval Fountains – The 9th-century Fonti Medievali on Via delle Fonti is where medieval townspeople once gathered water and washed their clothes.
