Situated in the heart of the TUSCANY, lies the MEDIAEVAL TOWN OF SAN GIMIGNANO, located among SIENA, FLORENCE and VOLTERRA, three of the most famous cities heavily influenced in culture and traditions from an historic age.
Base of a small Etruscan village dating from the Hellenistic period, its history started around the 10th century on a hill 334 meters above sea level surrounded by a beautifull 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, this historic village offers an 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 into view in the distance 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, the narrow streets, the fountains and the castle itself dating back to the XII century.
One could easily be transported back in time would the people of San Gimignano adorn their medieval costumers when watching them practice their traditional rituals.
This is SAN GIMIGNANO: with its beauty and charm. Standing there adorned in the medieval colours, the patina which reflects the traditions; times gone by which renders the visitors this unique experience of having gone back in time. It is really all of this together, 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 handcraft 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,with students (clerici vagantes), with the preachers and bishops, with princes, stone and timber merchants, with painters and with artists. In this "golden period" San Gimignano had an important artistic development and the work of arts flourished (from the Siena ghotic art to the Florence Renaissance) decorated churchs and convents. The richest families of the City showed off their wealth and their power constructing heigh towers. These towers untile this day differentate San Gimignano from other medieval town and present a spectacle for the tourists.