SAN GIMIGNANO


SAN GIMIGNANO
The historic centre of San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The town was founded by the Etruscans in the third century BC and developed as a
market-place during the tenth century, especially thanks to its strategic position on the
Via Francigena – the famous medieval route southward to Rome. It took its original name
from S. Geminiano, the bishop who succeeded in saving it from several Barbarian
invasions in the fourth century. In the Middle Ages, the town served as a
relay location for pilgrims travelling on the Via Francigena. Later, conflicts among
Volterra, Siena and Florence, struggles between two local Guelph and Ghibelline families
(respectively the Ardinghelli and the Salvucci) and the outbreak of the plague in 1348 led
to a drastic decimation of the population. Seventy-two medieval tower-houses were
built in order to display the wealth and power of the patrician families that
owned them, becoming the emblems of San Gimignano. Unfortunately, only fourteen out
of seventy-two have survived, together with the defensive walls that still surround the town.
The city walls we can admire today were erected in 1250, although evidences proof the
first defensive walls dated back to 1000. The main gates are San Giovanni and San
Matteo.

Important sights of the city:
    • Piazza della Cisterna: (Cistern Square):Is A triangular square and here are concentrated the most appealing attractions , The central well Cisterna , from where the citizens could take water without leaving the city wìduring the period of fight or plagues, the ancient palazzi.
    • Piazza Duomo: Atrapezoidal shape that is dominated by the Collegiata or Duomo (Cathedral),The church was partially built by Giuliano di Maiano (also famous for Santa Fina chapel) and
    • consecrated in 1148. It houses marvellous masterworks by Ghirlandaio and

      Benozzo Gozzoli.
    • Palazzo del Popolo: and two tower-houses: Torre Rognosa and Torre Grossa. . Next to the Collegiata stand the Palazzo del Popolo (thirteenth century),
    • Museum of Sacred Art.
    • Civic Museum.
    • Sant Agostino Church. Is important and beautiful church in San Gimignano is the one dedicated to S. Agostino; it can be easily reached on foot walking through San Matteo gate. The imposing building was built in 1280 in Romanesque style with some Gothic elements.
    • The Rocca di Montestaffoli is a medieval fortress which rises in all its glory on a hill, a few feet away from the city centre.
    • Santa Fina Museum includes the former conservatory, the Spezieria di Santa Fina (an apothecary’s shop where visitors can admire original ceramic containers).
    • Santa Fina is the patron saint of San Gimignano.
    • She reportedly died very young because of a serious illness which got even wors after her mother’s death. Legend has it that all the bells in San Gimignano rang out together to celebrate her death, untouched by anyone but angels. This event was immediately considered to be a miracle, she was sanctified and a hospital (todayturned into a museum) and a chapel inside the cathedral were built in her honour.
  • Etruscan archaeologic museum.
  • Museum of modern Arts.

Typical local products:
She represents patience and faith. San Gimignano is famous for the Vernaccia, a fresh white
wine made from the local vine variety of the same name, and for the nice quality
of Zafferano (saffron) which is exported all over Europe since the Middle Ages.
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Testimonials

  • Shore Excursion from Livorno Harbour to Florence and Pisa

    Santiago Family from POrtorico. Shore Excursion to Pisa and Florence , back to the harbour. Thanks for travelling with us . Read more
  • Flavia Saiad

    After some days in Tuscany , here there are at the Station ready for another Italian's adventure Read more
  • Karen & Jhon from Boston

    E-mail dated back Septmber 2019
    Hi Sylvia - its' hard to believe but in a few weeks it will be a year since our wonderful trip to Tuscany and our three days of touring with you. We've told many, many people about our three days touring with you in Tuscany! We love to tell the story of the guy in the

    ... Read more
  • Judith Wolfe on Behalf of Linda Wolfe October 2018

    Dear Silvia,My customers have returned from their long extended trip to Italy. San Gimignano was their 1st stop.They said the tour you arranged was wonderful and the guide made it especially good, saying that he is one of the best they ever had.They also really enjoyed the lunch stop and view.Thank you... Read more
  • Mrs. Maristela Azevedo

    Hello, Silvia, how are you?
    I’d like to thank you for the great time you gave us!!!We loved everything!
    I told my husband that, the next time, we will rent an apartment in San Gimignano…and you will take us to the wineries…He loved it!
    Thank you very much for everything. It was everything wonderful!!!... Read more
  • Jaime Otero y Jose Carlos Gonzalez Bonilla

  • Shane Quintard

    Ciao Silvia!

    Grazie ancora per il grande tour di Siena e San Gimignano - io e mia moglie e amici aveva un grande momento e che era esattamente quello che speravamo! La cantina è stata una scelta eccellente, come pure! Abbiamo lasciato ieri (1 febbraio) e ha fatto arrivare a casa in modo sicuro, nonostante ... Read more
  • Carole Gaddis

    Hi Silvia,  It's so good to hear from you.  We're fine.  We had six days at home after Tuscany and then flew to South Korea for two weeks!  We've just returned, exhausted!
    We had such a great time with you, Silvia.  The tip could never be enough to show our appreciation for your kindness and help.  ... Read more
  • The British Institute of Florence

    Gentile Silvia,  La volevo ringraziare per la sua disponibilità riguardo la gita di sabato.  Le signore le hanno fatto tutte molti complimenti per la sua guida!
    Grazie e a presto,
    Cordiali saluti,
    Liz Read more
  • Mrs Elizabeth ( wedding Planner ) Original Tuscan Wedding

    Ciao Silvia,
    Ecco i complimenti dalle Sposi del 16 Ottobre!!
    Our driver Johnny was so awesome!  He drove us all over the Chianti region.  He took us to a few wineries and we had a private tour of one of the wineries including a wine tasting and oil tasting.  He even took us into a store with a cellar ... Read more