Medieval San Gimignano

San Gimignano is situated in the heart of our beautiful Tuscany. Its foundation dates back to ancient times. According to legend, in 63 B.C. two young patricians brothers escaping from Rome after their implication in the conspiracy.

The architecture, particularly the 14 soaring tower-houses, has earned the town a UNESCO World Heritage Site designation. The exact purpose of the towers is disputed from residential or defensive use, as it was in medieval times.

 

From the end of the 12th century, the towers built according to the same model were sided by other buildings of lower height that may be already defined palazzi. From the second half of the twelfth century, bricks appeared, and they were used in total or in part to erect buildings.

 

Since the first half of the 13th-century towers were not built anymore, whilst palaces were built according to the most up-to-date and fashionable trends of that time. Since the first half of Duecento, the major Tuscan art towns such as Florence, Pisa, Lucca, and Siena developed some peculiar architectonical features, different for each town. This is not the case for San Gimignano, where architecture developed according to eclectic features, merging different styles and influences from different towns the Commune had come in touch with. The outcome is a very original and peculiar architecture

 

The experience starts in the Piazza della Cisterna, which features the square’s namesake well, or the 13th-century Piazza Duomo, a square dotted with monuments and flanked by mansions.

 

• The walking tour will cover approximately the whole day, not recommended for guests with walking difficulties.
• Lunchtime of 2.30h in a typical restaurant in the city.
• Tour available in Italian, English and Spanish