| Saint Gimignano | ||
 | ||
| Salutation | Manhattan of the Middle Ages | |
|---|---|---|
| State | Italy | |
| Region | Tuscany | |
| Territory | Valdelsa Valdicecina | |
| Altitude | 324 m a.s.l. | |
| Surface | 138.6 km² | |
| Inhabitants | 7.743 (2018) | |
| Name inhabitants | Sangimignanesi | |
| Prefix tel | 39 0577 | |
| POSTAL CODE | 53037 | |
| Time zone | UTC 1 | |
| Patron | San Gimignano and Santa Fina | |
Position
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| Tourism site | ||
| Institutional website | ||
Saint Gimignano is a center of the Tuscany in the province of Siena.
To know
For the feature medieval architecture of his Old Town has been declared by UNESCO World Heritage. The site of San Gimignano, despite some nineteenth-twentieth-century restorations, is mostly intact in its thirteenth-fourteenth century appearance and is one of the best examples in Europe of urban organization of the municipal age.
He was awarded the orange flag by the Italian Touring Club.
Geographical notes
The municipal territory of San Gimignano extends for 138 km² and is located on a high hill in the Val d'Elsa. The altitude difference is between a minimum of 64 meters above sea level. in the plain of the river Elsa near Certaldo to a maximum of 631 meters in the Cornocchio area; the capital is located at 324 m s.l.m.
Background
San Gimignano was built on a site definitely inhabited by the Etruscans, at least from the third century BC, as evidenced by the numerous archaeological finds in the surrounding area. The hill was certainly chosen for strategic reasons, as it dominates the upper Val d'Elsa. In the Middle Ages the city was located on one of the main roads of the via Francigena. Towards 1150, despite the opening of a new route of the Francigena, San Gimignano continued to be an emerging center, with a policy of territorial expansion and a significant growth in commercial activities. In 1199, at the height of its economic splendor, the town gained its municipal independence from the bishops of Volterra. There was no lack of internal struggles between Guelphs and Ghibellines (respectively led by the diehards Ardinghelli and Salvucci), but the period of greatest economic splendor dates back to the 13th century, under the Ghibellines, which was based on the trade of fine local agricultural products, including the most sought after was saffron. Moreover, like other Tuscan centers, financial speculation and usury spread. The solid economy allowed the creation of an urban aristocratic class, which expressed its political and social supremacy in the construction of the towers: in the fourteenth century there were 72 towers (today perhaps 14 remain). The huge accumulated capital was invested during the thirteenth century in important public works, which gave the town the articulation of urban spaces still visible today. The fourteenth century was a century of crisis that did not spare San Gimignano: troubled by internal struggles, it was heavily hit by the black plague and famine of 1348, which decimated the population. In 1351 the exhausted city spontaneously surrendered to Florence, giving up its autonomy. The decline and marginalization of the city in the following centuries were the conditions that allowed the extraordinary crystallization of its medieval aspect.
How to orient yourself
San Gimignano: full screen map.How to get
By plane
By car
- Autostrada del Sole A1 (southbound): exit Florence Charterhouse; then the Florence-Siena motorway junction, exit at Poggibonsi North.
- Autostrada del Sole A1 (northbound): Valdichiana exit; follow the signs for Siena and here take the Siena-Firenze motorway junction, Poggibonsi Nord exit.
You can't drive inside the city walls, but there are several parking lots for a fee just outside the city walls, with free places further away. The most convenient parking, the "Montemaggio Parking", outside Porta San Giovanni, fills up quickly, but they let 1 car in for each exit, so you can wait (€ 2 / hour). There is free parking on the side of the road that goes down from the roundabout.
On the train
Poggibonsi-S. Gimignano: bus connections that leave in front of the station with Florence and Siena.
By bus
From Siena and Florence (in front of the Santa Maria Novella railway station) buses leave for Poggibonsi. Then continue with another bus to San Gimignano. Buses leave from Porta San Giovanni, with tickets on sale at the bar just inside the gate or at the Tourist Info.
How to get around
San Gimignano is very small and can be walked from one door to the other in 20 minutes.
By public transport
An electric shuttle bus runs all day from Porta San Giovanni to Piazza della Cisterna in Porta San Matteo. The fare is € 1 per hour and you can buy a ticket at the Tourist Office.
What see
Towers
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- 1 Torri degli Ardinghelli, Piazza della Cisterna (not open to visitors). The two towers date back to the end of the 13th century. Despite an express prohibition of 1255, in ancient times these two towers were higher than the almost 52 meters of the Torre Rognosa, the tower of the town hall, in response to the height, also "outlawed", of the nearby Salvucci twin towers. For this they were later scapitozzati and today they rise to a height of about half of the original building. The towers, although both have a quadrilateral base, are quite different: the one on the right is narrower and has a more strictly medieval aspect: covered by regular visible drafts, there are a few narrow single-lancet windows and a slit. The tower on the left, on the other hand, has a larger surface area, with very large arched windows that seem to suggest a structural use of the arches to unload the weight of the masonry. These openings are now resized by brick infill, but still clearly visible.
- 2 Torre dei Becci, Piazza della Cisterna (not open to visitors). The tower dates back to the thirteenth century, as well as the adjacent building which can be accessed from via degli Innocenti. The tower has a very simple aspect: with a square base it is built from regular visible drafts which in the highest part become filaretto; rare slit openings open on the main sides. The Becci were a family of merchants who held important public offices in the golden age of the Municipality of San Gimignano.
- 3 Chigi Tower, Piazza del Duomo (private, not open to visitors).
- 4 Tower of the Cugnanesi, Via San Giovanni (not open to visitors).
- 5 Devil's Tower, Piazza della Cisterna.
6 Torre Grossa, Piazza del Duomo 2 (visitable), ☎ 39 0577 286300. 
Combined ticket for all Civic Museums valid for two days: Full: € 9.00 - Reduced: € 7.00. 
1 April-30 September: 10.00-19.30 / 1 October-31 March: 11.00-17.30 / 25 December (closed) / 1 January: 12.30-17.30 - Admission allowed up to half an hour before the closing time of the museums.. It is the tallest tower in San Gimignano. It was begun exactly on 21 August 1300, four months after the city had hosted Dante Alighieri, and was finished in 1311. It is 54 meters high and the only one, together with the two twin towers of Piazza delle Erbe, on which the access to the public with 218 steps. On the top, from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the town and the surrounding countryside, there is a belfry, surrounded by a walkway protected by a parapet resting on hanging arches. The cell coverage is pyramidal and recalls that of the nearby Rognosa tower.
Combined ticket for all Civic Museums valid for two days: Full: € 9.00 - Reduced: € 7.00. 
1 April-30 September: 10.00-19.30 / 1 October-31 March: 11.00-17.30 / 25 December (closed) / 1 January: 12.30-17.30 - Admission allowed up to half an hour before the closing time of the museums.. It is the tallest tower in San Gimignano. It was begun exactly on 21 August 1300, four months after the city had hosted Dante Alighieri, and was finished in 1311. It is 54 meters high and the only one, together with the two twin towers of Piazza delle Erbe, on which the access to the public with 218 steps. On the top, from which you can enjoy a wonderful view of the town and the surrounding countryside, there is a belfry, surrounded by a walkway protected by a parapet resting on hanging arches. The cell coverage is pyramidal and recalls that of the nearby Rognosa tower.- 7 Tower of Palazzo Pellari, Piazza del Duomo (not open to visitors).
- 8 Torre Rognosa, Piazza del Duomo (not open to visitors). It is one of the highest and best preserved in San Gimignano. Built around 1200, it belonged to the Gregori and Oti families. It is almost 52 meters high and is the second highest tower in the town, after the Torre Grossa (54 m). The name of "Rognosa" derives from the fact that, after the mayor's move, it served as a prison, which is why it was visited by those who had "trouble". The tower has an almost square base and is built of stone with fairly regular drafts. Just above the battlements of the old Palazzo del Podestà there is a narrow architrave opening that leads to a small terrace covered by a canopy. The tower has only a small window on the Piazza della Cisterna and on the top floor it has a roof terrace that functioned as a lay belfry. According to a statute of 1255 it was forbidden for anyone, private citizen, to build higher towers than the Rognosa. However, the arrangement was ignored by the powerful Guelph family of Salvucci, who, a few steps from here, had two twin towers built, soon to be repeated by those of the rival Ardinghelli family. Both pairs of towers were then scapitozzato and today they are lower than the Rognosa.
- 9 Towers of the Salvucci, Piazza delle Erbe (not open to visitors). One of the two towers has been transformed into a residence.
- 10 Pettini Tower, Via San Matteo (not open to visitors).
- 11 Campatelli Tower, via San Giovanni 15 (not open to visitors).
- 12 Torre Pesciolini house, Via San Matteo (not open to visitors).
- 13 Ficarelli Tower, Via San Giovanni (not open to visitors).
- 14 Bell tower of the Collegiate.
Religious buildings
- 15 Duomo (Collegiate Church).
- 16 Church of Sant'Agostino.
- 17 Church of San Pietro.
- 18 Parish church of Santa Maria Assunta, Location Cellole.
Museums
- 19 Civic Museum and Torre Grossa. Apr-Sep 09: 30-19: 00, Oct-Mar 10: 00-17: 00.
- 20 San Gimignano 1300, Via Berignano 17. 10:00-19:00.
Events and parties
- San Gimignano Carnival (Carnival period).
- Feast of Santa Fina (March 12).
- It happens in the summer (from June to September).
- San Gimignano Music (from June to mid-October).
- Noctilucent (last Saturday of June).
What to do
If you want to escape the tourist crowds, there is a path which runs outside the town which is quiet and offers some nice countryside views. It doesn't seem to go all around the city, but it's long enough to satisfy a good portion. Look for signs with a hiker icon.
- 1 Irispa, Provincial Road Certaldo (Location Casini San Paolo), ☎ 39 0577 955021, @[email protected]. Fri-Wed 10 am-8pm; Thu 10: 00-24: 00. Spa and wellness center, massages, beauty treatments for total relaxation overlooking the towers of San Gimignano.
Shopping
In its territory an excellent olive oil is produced; San Gimignano is part ofNational Association City of oil.
- 1 Thursday market, Piazza del Duomo.
- Co-op Supermarket.
How to have fun
Where to eat
Average prices
- 1 Trattoria Chiribiri, Piazza della Madonna.
- 2 The Manger.
- 3 Locanda di Sant'Agostino.
- Il Ceppo Toscano, Via delle Romite 13.
- Osteria delle Catene.
Where stay
Average prices
- 1 Villasanpaolo Hotel, Provincial Road Certaldo (Location Casini San Paolo), ☎ 39 0577 955100, @[email protected]. Immersed in the quiet of the Tuscan countryside overlooking San Gimignano, the hotel has a wellness center inside, with Spa, gym and specialized staff for personalized treatments. Open all the year.
- 2 Hotel Leon Bianco, Piazza Cisterna 13, ☎ 39 0577 941294, @[email protected]. 3 star hotel located in a completely renovated medieval building. The 26 rooms offer a comfortable and intimate environment. The double rooms with a view have a four-poster bed and overlook the Tuscan countryside. Upon request, the hotel organizes tours, activities and food and wine tastings in local farms.
- 3 Casolare Le Terre Rosse Hotel, Location S. Donato, ☎ 39 0577 942073, 39 0577 907046, @[email protected]. 3-star superior hotel with a rustic style surrounded by nature with rooms and apartments. The large park of the hotel is ideal for relaxing by the pool or for letting the children play.
- 4 Hotel L'Antico Pozzo, Via S. Matteo 87 (in the historic center), ☎ 39 0577 942014, @[email protected].
High prices
- 5 Hotel La Cisterna, Piazza Cisterna 23 (in the historic center), ☎ 39 0577 942080, @[email protected].
- 6 Hotel La Collegiata, Location La Collegiata, ☎ 39 0577 943201, @[email protected].
Safety
How to keep in touch
Post office
- Post office, Piazza delle Erbe 8, ☎ 39 0577 90771.
Internet
- San Gimignano app (free for Apple and Android smartphones). In 7 languages.
Around
Itineraries
Useful information
Tourist information
1 San Gimignano Pro Loco Association, Piazza Duomo 1, ☎ 39 0577 940008, fax: 39 0577 940903, @[email protected]. Mon-Fri and Sun: 10.00-13.00 - Sat: 10.00-13.00 / 15.00-19.00.
Other projects
Wikipedia contains an entry concerning Saint Gimignano
Commons contains images or other files on Saint Gimignano
Wikiquote contains quotes from or about Saint Gimignano
