WHEN TO GO

During springtime the Tuscan countryside is spectacular, in the summer the village comes alive with cultural and artistic events. In June there is the Fierie of Messi, historical re-enactment of a medieval festival in honor of the fertility of the land.

WHY SAN GIMIGNANO

San Gimignano is an old fortified medieval town whose walls date back to the year one thousand. It is famous for its historic and artistic heritage and its architecture, especially its towers. In 1990 it was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco. Also very popular its local products including saffron and white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

GETTING AROUND

The medieval town is surrounded by walls. You enter the village through various doors: Porta San Matteo, Porta San Giovanni, Porta Quercecchio, Porta San Jacopo and Porta delle Fonti. The center is pedestrian and the car should be left just outside the walls. You can also reach the village by public transport.

WHAT TO SEE

The historic center of San Gimignano, a World Heritage Site, offers medieval masterpieces including the famous towers that still stand out on its landscape and which have earned him the definition of “medieval Manhattan”. Of the 72 towers, today there are 16, the oldest is Rognosa Tower, 51 meters high, and the highest is Torre del Podesta of 54 m. The heart of the town is Piazza del Duomo, full of buildings and palaces, such as Palazzo Vecchio del Podesta and the Palazzo Comunale also called the New Palace and the Palace of the Archive of the Opera Propositura headquarters with important fifteenth century manuscripts. The Cathedral preserves rather valuable works of great Tuscan artists.

The perimeter of the city has historical treasures and several famous churches with many frescoes, like that of St. Peter, St. James, St. Bartolo, the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta and St. Augustine. To see the Montestaffoli fortress. Other highlights include the Etruscan Museum, the Art Museum, the Wine Museum, the Museum of Sacred Art with important medieval religious artifacts.

WHAT TO DO

Walking along the perimeter of the city, the Stroll of the Walls, walls in the 13th century, from doove you can enjoy the whole panorama of the Val d’Elsa. The Rock of Montestaffoli they organize concerts, art exhibitions and performances, especially in the summer.

Sports and Nature: A few kilometers from the medieval town is the nature reserve of Castelvecchio, a large wooded area rich in Mediterranean flora. In the reserve are the archaeological ruins of Castelvecchio, the fortress of Etruscan origin within walking distance of San Donato. The view enjoyed from the lookout tower sweeps across the valley. Many trekking routes with medium difficulty within this reserve.

INFORMATION

Tourist Office
Piazza del Duomo, 1
53037 San Gimignano (SI)
+39 0577 940008
www.sangimignano.com