San Gimignano

San Gimignano, often dubbed the "Medieval Manhattan", is one of the most popular towns in Tuscany, renowned for its well-preserved medieval architecture and iconic skyline. The UNESCO World Heritage Centre offers a glimpse into the region's rich history; once an important relay point for pilgrims travelling to or from Rome on the Via Francigena. Since its independence in 1199, the noble families who controlled the town built 72 towers, symbols of their wealth and power. Today, only 14 of the original towers have survived, maintaining the town's impressive skyline and providing enchanting views over the surrounding vineyards and olive groves. It is no wonder San Gimignano is so popular with visitors, providing the perfect example of medieval architecture, going on to influence the Florentine, Sienese and Pisa styles from the 12th to the 14th century.

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San Gimignano, renowned for its medieval architecture and iconic towers, offers a wealth of activities for visitors. Stroll through the charming streets lined with artisanal shops and traditional trattorias where you can savour authentic Tuscan cuisine or head to a wine tasting of the famous Vernaccia di San Gimignano. But don't forget to look up and admire the towers that make up the town's famous skyline or miss the opportunity to climb Torre Grossa for panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. If heights aren't your thing, stay on the ground and explore the historic Piazza del Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo, home to stunning palaces and the majestic Collegiate Church.

San Gimignano gained its fame through its towers, resulting from a rivalry between two economically powerful families living in the town building better and higher towers to show their economic stability and power. By the end of the Medieval period, this trend had caught on, with every wealthy family building their own tower, resulting in 72 towers total. Although many towers were cut down or destroyed during World War II, 14 remain. Below are a few which draw the most attention from visitors.

The Torre Grossa, standing at 54 metres, is the tallest tower in San Gimignano. The tower’s construction began in 1300, built to enrich the town and become its symbol whilst functioning as a military watchtower and a civil bell tower. Visitors can climb the 218 steps to the top where they will be met with panoramic views over the town and the Tuscan countryside, making for a great photo opportunity!


Address: Piazza Duomo, 2, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy


Web: https://www.sangimignano.com/en/useful-information/opening-times-and-tickets/

Torre e Casa Campatelli is an 18th-century palazzo standing in the heart of San Gimignano. One of the remaining 14 towers, this 28-metre tower house was built in the mid-12th century by the Campatelli family. Over the building's history, it was finally turned into an upper-class residence, with the latest owner, Lydia Campatelli, donating Torre e Casa Campatelli to the FAI in 2005. The house is open to the public, providing a narrative of the medieval history of San Gimignano to the events of high-ranking families, providing a vivid reflection of life in Tuscan society over thousands of years.


Address: Torre e Casa Campatelli, Via S. Giovanni, 15, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italia


Web: https://fondoambiente.it/luoghi/torre-e-casa-campatelli

Another of the remaining towers in San Gimignano is Torre Chigi. The tower, built in 1280, originally belonged to the Useppi family before the noble family became extinct, leading to the heirs of the noble family, called Chigi-Saracini, taking over the properties. Today, the complex tower, bordered by medieval buildings, holds three hundred residents. Although not very tall, Torre Chigi is one of the most beautiful towers, where visitors looking to celebrate a big occasion can book a golden dinner or night in the tower.


Address: Piazza Duomo, 53037 San Gimignano (Siena) Italy


Web: https://www.torrechigi.com/

The Devil's Tower is surrounded by mystery, as the name may suggest. Legends have it that upon the owner of the tower's return to the town, he was surprised to find that the tower was higher than he had left it, put down to demonic forces. The tower also gets its name from its sinister appearance with its protruding supports and colouring from the use of white limestone, making it easy to identify from the others.


Address: Piazza Della Cisterna, 6, 53037 San Gimignano SI

After the towers, the cathedral is undoubtedly the most significant monument in San Gimignano. Situated in the Piazza del Duomo since the 12th century, the cathedral's interior follows a traditional basilica plan, marked by the 14 classic Tuscan stone columns. Yet the main attraction is the magnificent frescoes lining the cathedral walls, depicting stories of the New and Old Testament and colourful decorations typical of the medieval period. It is also possible to admire a jewel of the Renaissance, the Chapel of Santa Dina, where three artists worked together to create the masterpiece dedicated to San Gimignano's most beloved saint.


Address: Duomo di San Gimignano, Piazza Duomo, 8, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italia


Web: http://www.duomosangimignano.it/cattedrale.htm

The Palazzo Comunale, San Gimignano's town hall, sits next to the cathedral in the Piazza del Duomo. It is home to the San Gimignano Civic Museum headquarters. On the first floor, visitors will find the Sala del Consiglio (Council Chamber), exhibiting a famous 13th fresco depicting tournaments of knights and hunting scenes. The second floor is the location of the Chamber of the Podestà, frescoed with unique narrations presenting love scenes, among other depictions.


Address: Piazza Duomo, 2, 53037 San Gimignano SI, Italy


Web: https://www.sangimignanomusei.it/eng/comune.htm

Piazza della Cisterna, characterised by its triangular shape, was built in the 13th century. Originally located at the crossroads between Via Francigena and the road connecting Pisa to Siena, the square also functioned as a host for markets, festivals and city tournaments. The square gets its name from its cistern intended for public use. In front of the cistern is the Casa Silvestrini, once used as a hospital. On the southwest side is the Arco dei Becci, part of the original city walls dating back to the 10th century. Today, visitors can find the square lined with different restaurants, bars and shops.

Set in the northern end of town, close to Porta San Matteo, this church is a tribute to St Augustine.  Whilst the outside does not hold much admiration, inside, you will find three walls covered in frescoes behind the main altar depicting the life of St Augustine as taken from The Confessions.



Address: Convento Sant'Agostino, Piazza S. Agostino, 10, San Gimignano


Web: https://conventosantagostino.it/

See San Gimignano from a different perspective and stroll along the top of the town's walls. Visitors can walk the 2176m perimeter of the town wall marking the historical centre of San Gimignano. The wall can be joined from different access points and provides stunning views of the surrounding scenic rolling hills.

While you may have heard of the famous Chianti wine, have you heard of the Vernaccia di San Gimignano? This white wine is Tuscany's only DOCG white wine. There are two types of Vernaccia di San Gimignano: first, the Riserva, made from selected grapes Vernaccia di San Gimignano processed over a long period. The second is Vernaccia di San Gimignano d'Annata, with a fresher taste that is immediately ready for tasting. Yet it is best to experience these wines in person, so why not book a wine-tasting experience at Rocca di Montestaffoli?


Address: Via della Rocca, 1, 53037 San Gimignano SI


Tel: +39 0577 941267
Web: https://wineexperience.vernacciasangimignano.it/en/

San Gimignano offers an array of culinary experiences, perfect for food and wine enthusiasts visiting Tuscany. The town boasts numerous trattorias and restaurants where visitors can put their feet up from wandering the streets and going up towers to enjoy traditional Tuscan dishes, like wild boar ragu and ribollita soup. The town is also famed for its white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano, so why not have a glass while you watch the world go by? Don't forget to visit Gelateria Dondoli, a world-famous spot in the heart of the town, completing your visit to San Gimignano.

Ristorante Dorandò
Adress: Vicolo dell'Oro, 2, 53037 San Gimignano
Tel: +39 0577 941862
Web: www.ristorantedorando.it

Osteria delle Catene
Address: Via Mainardi 18, San Gimignano
Tel: +39 0577 941966
Web: www.osteriadellecatene.it

Ristorante Da Pode
Address: Localita Sovestro 63, 53037, San Gimignano
Tel: +39 0577 943126
Web: www.dapode.com

Ristorante Tre Archi
Address: Via di Castel S. Gimignano 35/B, 53034 Colle di Val D'Elsa
Tel: +39 0577 953099
Web: https://trearchiristorante.it/

The centre of San Gimignano is car-free so, if you are driving to the town you will need to find parking outside the town centre. Thankfully, San Gimignano is well-equipped with plenty of parking for visitors. 

If travelling from the south of San Gimignano, the closest parking is P1 Giubileo and P2 Montemaggio. Both car parks have fees, yet P1 Giubileo is cheaper, costing €6 for 24 hours and €1,50 per hour. If parking in P2 Montemaggio, it will cost €15 for 24 hours and €2,50 per hour for the first two hours and then €2 for any consecutive hours spent parking. There are two additional car parks north of San Gimignano, P3 Bagnaia Superiore and P4 Bagnaia Inferiore. Both charge the same fees as P2 Montemaggio.    

https://www.sangimignano.com/en/useful-information/parking-and-city-bus/  

If you don’t have a car or wish to take advantage of public transport, this is possible and at a reasonable price if purchasing ahead of time. The closest train station is Poggibonsi, about 10km from San Gimignano. From there you can take a bus or taxi to the town, taking 15 to 20 minutes. There are frequent regional trains from Florence, taking about an hour, and from Siena, taking around 30 minutes to get to Poggibonsi.

https://www.trenitalia.com/en.html

https://www.at-bus.it/it/puntivendita


Road distances from San Gimignano

Colle di Val d’Elsa - 15km
Castellina in Chianti - 27km
Volterra – 31km
Siena - 42km
Florence - 60km
Pisa - 79km

Explore the enchanting surroundings of San Gimignano and the diverse beauty of Tuscany with a day trip. Venture to Colle di Val d'Elsa, renowned for its crystal glass production, making the perfect day out for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. Head east to Castellina in Chianti, a quintessential hilltop village where visitors can indulge in local cuisine and visit local wineries. Or embark on an Etruscan journey through time in Volterra, filled with ancient remains waiting to be explored. Each of these destinations provides a unique glimpse into the beauty and heritage of the region, making them perfect for enriching day trips from San Gimignano.

Colle di Val d'Elsa, renowned for its crystal glass production, is the perfect base to explore the beauty and culture of the Tuscan countryside.  No visit would be complete without visiting the Crystal Museum (Museo del Cristallo), providing insights into the local art of glassblowing. History enthusiasts can wander through the medieval old town, known as Colle Alta, where narrow cobblestone streets lead to the impressive Palazzo Campana. For nature lovers, the Sentierelsa Trail provides a scenic walking path along the Elsa River, offering stunning views and tranquil spots. 

For more information, explore our guide to Colle di Val d’Elsa.

Castellina in Chianti, located in the heart of Tuscany, is a quintessential hilltop village adorned with a rich tapestry of history and natural splendour. Explore the historic Via delle Volte, a covered walkway taking visitors back in time. Wine enthusiasts will delight in visiting local wineries and tasting the renowned Chianti Classico. For outdoor enthusiasts, the scenic vineyards and olive groves offer perfect opportunities for hiking and cycling. The town is also ideally located for exploring the rest of the Chianti.

For more information, explore our guide to Castellina in Chianti.

Volterra, well known for its Etruscan origins, offers a wealth of history, culture, and natural charm. History enthusiasts can delve into its past at the Guarnacci Etruscan Museum, housing a vast collection of Etruscan artefacts, and explore the well-preserved ruins of the Roman Theatre from the 1st century BC. Art lovers can admire works at the Volterra Cathedral and Pinacoteca, showcasing pieces by esteemed Italian artists. Don't miss the opportunity to visit alabaster workshops and observe traditional artisans in action.

For more information, explore our guide to Volterra.

Are you feeling inspired to start planning your holiday to Tuscany? Unveil the splendour of our exclusive villa collection near San Gimignano, where Tuscany's charm truly comes to life. Our range of hand-picked villas, situated amidst breathtaking landscapes, provide the perfect base for guests wanting to explore the region. With easy access to the Chianti, guests can immerse themselves in the rich history of Tuscany. Immerse yourself in Tuscan life as you wander charming streets, savouring local delicacies and sampling renowned wines. Our hand-picked selection of villas, from romantic retreats to large estates for the whole family, ensure a bespoke and relaxing retreat, making your Tuscan holiday unforgettable.

Explore our villas near San Gimignano, in the Siena and Chianti area, to start planning your Tuscan holiday today. Alternatively, entrust your holiday planning to our team of Villa Specialists. With their firsthand experience and intimate knowledge of the region, they'll ensure you find the ultimate Tuscan holiday tailored to you.