Cradle of Tuscan medieval history, famous worldwide for its splendid towers, a treasure chest holding a whole world to discover, made of legends, stories and the lives of illustrious figures: San Gimignano, resting gently on a soft hilltop, tells a story from the past that still feels so alive and vibrant.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, the town, between Siena and Florence, takes its name from the saint of Modena who, according to tradition, freed the old village from a barbarian occupation. It casts a rich, vivid spell that charms visitors, with striking views and remarkable medieval architecture.
It is a town with a strong, turbulent spirit, as the 14 towers surviving out of the original 72 show: San Gimignano’s wealthy families competed in magnificence, building true architectural gems and destroying each other’s, to prove their supremacy.
The hill on which the town stands, set like a sentry to take in the wild Tuscan countryside and easily spot any advancing enemy, boasts settlements dating back to Etruscan times (3rd century BC).
Legend has it that Desiderius, king of the Lombards, lived among the lanes and walls of San Gimignano, which were also admired by the great Charlemagne, who stayed here briefly as a guest. And of course there is the great Dante Alighieri, who came to the town as ambassador of the Guelph League in Tuscany.
The walls still visible today, dating from the 13th century, tell the story of San Gimignano’s changing politics: it became a commune in 1199 and was besieged by the Guelphs in 1255. In 1260, with the Battle of Montaperti, the Ghibellines prevailed, the walls destroyed by the Guelphs were rebuilt, and the town was divided into four contrade: Piazza, Castello, San Matteo and San Giovanni.
The town has always thrived on the trade, production and export of fine products: saffron and the delicious white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano are still two of the pride and joys of this lovely town, which never fails to stir the emotions.
To soak up its traditions, among the most important events in town are the Feast of the Patron Saint (San Gimignano, January 31) and the Feast of Santa Fina (March 12): every year they fill the town with folk music and dances and markets of traditional products.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990, the town, between Siena and Florence, takes its name from the saint of Modena who, according to tradition, freed the old village from a barbarian occupation. It casts a rich, vivid spell that charms visitors, with striking views and remarkable medieval architecture.
It is a town with a strong, turbulent spirit, as the 14 towers surviving out of the original 72 show: San Gimignano’s wealthy families competed in magnificence, building true architectural gems and destroying each other’s, to prove their supremacy.
The hill on which the town stands, set like a sentry to take in the wild Tuscan countryside and easily spot any advancing enemy, boasts settlements dating back to Etruscan times (3rd century BC).
Legend has it that Desiderius, king of the Lombards, lived among the lanes and walls of San Gimignano, which were also admired by the great Charlemagne, who stayed here briefly as a guest. And of course there is the great Dante Alighieri, who came to the town as ambassador of the Guelph League in Tuscany.
The walls still visible today, dating from the 13th century, tell the story of San Gimignano’s changing politics: it became a commune in 1199 and was besieged by the Guelphs in 1255. In 1260, with the Battle of Montaperti, the Ghibellines prevailed, the walls destroyed by the Guelphs were rebuilt, and the town was divided into four contrade: Piazza, Castello, San Matteo and San Giovanni.
The town has always thrived on the trade, production and export of fine products: saffron and the delicious white wine Vernaccia di San Gimignano are still two of the pride and joys of this lovely town, which never fails to stir the emotions.
To soak up its traditions, among the most important events in town are the Feast of the Patron Saint (San Gimignano, January 31) and the Feast of Santa Fina (March 12): every year they fill the town with folk music and dances and markets of traditional products.
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San Gimignano tours
What to see in San Gimignano
What to see in San Gimignano
1Piazza della Cisterna
Address
Piazza della Cisterna, San Gimignano (SI)
Piazza della Cisterna, San Gimignano (SI)
2Piazza del Duomo e Chiesa Collegiata
Tickets and prices
€4
€4
Address
Piazza del Duomo, San Gimignano (SI)
Piazza del Duomo, San Gimignano (SI)
Official website
www.duomosangimignano.it
www.duomosangimignano.it
3Palazzo Comunale, Museo Civico e Torre Grossa
Tickets and prices
€6
€6
Address
Piazza del Duomo 2, San Gimignano (SI)
Piazza del Duomo 2, San Gimignano (SI)
Official website
www.sangimignanomusei.it
www.sangimignanomusei.it
4Torri Gemelle Salvucci
Address
Piazza del Duomo, San Gimignano (SI)
Piazza del Duomo, San Gimignano (SI)
5Chiesa di Sant'Agostino
Address
Piazza Sant'Agostino 10, San Gimignano (SI)
Piazza Sant'Agostino 10, San Gimignano (SI)
6Fonti Medievali e Porta delle Fonti
Address
Via delle Fonti, San Gimignano (SI)
Via delle Fonti, San Gimignano (SI)
How to get to San Gimignano from Arezzo
By train
You can’t get to San Gimignano directly by train. The nearest stations are Certaldo and Poggibonsi.
Timetables and tickets
By bus
Among the most practical ways to get to San Gimignano, the bus is a very good option. From Siena or Florence, take the train to Certaldo or Poggibonsi, where buses to San Gimignano stop (run by TIEMME).
Timetables and tickets
By car
A car makes getting around easy, to suit your own needs and plans: reaching San Gimignano is very simple, thanks to roads in excellent condition, even though they are country roads.
Coming from the north, take the A1 Milan–Rome highway toward Rome and exit at Firenze Impruneta. Take the Florence–Siena expressway, exit at Poggibonsi Nord and follow the signs for San Gimignano.
Coming from the south, take the A1 Rome–Milan highway toward Milan and exit at Valdichiana. Then follow the signs for Siena and take the Siena–Florence expressway. Exit at Poggibonsi Nord and follow the signs for San Gimignano. Coming from Pisa, take the Florence–Pisa–Livorno expressway (SGC) toward Florence, exit at Empoli Ovest and head toward Castelfiorentino-Certaldo. From Certaldo, follow the signs for San Gimignano.
You can’t drive your own car into the historic center: you have to leave it in one of the large parking lots just outside. City bus Line 2 connects San Gimignano’s main parking lots to the historic center.
Coming from the north, take the A1 Milan–Rome highway toward Rome and exit at Firenze Impruneta. Take the Florence–Siena expressway, exit at Poggibonsi Nord and follow the signs for San Gimignano.
Coming from the south, take the A1 Rome–Milan highway toward Milan and exit at Valdichiana. Then follow the signs for Siena and take the Siena–Florence expressway. Exit at Poggibonsi Nord and follow the signs for San Gimignano. Coming from Pisa, take the Florence–Pisa–Livorno expressway (SGC) toward Florence, exit at Empoli Ovest and head toward Castelfiorentino-Certaldo. From Certaldo, follow the signs for San Gimignano.
You can’t drive your own car into the historic center: you have to leave it in one of the large parking lots just outside. City bus Line 2 connects San Gimignano’s main parking lots to the historic center.
Where to eat in San Gimignano
Enoteca DiVineria
Piazza delle Erbe 1, San Gimignano (SI) · (+39) 0577 943041
Ristorante Il Trovatore
Via dei Fossi 17, San Gimignano (SI) · (+39) 0577 942240
Enoteca La Vecchia Nicchia - Renascimentho Farm
Via San Martino 12, San Gimignano (SI) · (+39) 0577 940803
Ristorante Bel Soggiorno
Via San Giovanni 91, San Gimignano (SI) · (+39) 0577 943149
Ristorante Perucà
Via Capassi 16, San Gimignano (SI) · (+39) 0577 943136
Ristorante CumQuibus
Via San Martino 17, San Gimignano (SI) · (+39) 0577 943199
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