Location: San Gimignano
Top Things to do in San Gimignano
7 Historic Sites in San Gimignano That You Shouldn't Miss
San Gimignano, known as the "city of beautiful towers," had 72 towers in its heyday. Now 14 remain, and, rising above Tuscany's Elsa Valley, they make the town look like a medieval dreamscape. Take in the fresco-covered Collegiate Church, the Civic Museum and the views from atop 177-foot Torre Grossa. Daytrippers from Florence tend to fill up the streets during the day, so for a more up-close-and-personal look at the town, spend the night.
Restaurants in San Gimignano
1. Torre e Casa Campatelli
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 244 reviews
Located in San Gimignano, Campatelli is an 18th-century building that features one of the town’s famous medieval towers. The residence of a high-ranking family in the 19th and 20th centuries, Casa Campatelli reconstructs - through its fornitures, decor, paintings and private mementos - the ambience and history of a traditional Tuscan family and society of a bygone age, set against the background of 1000 years of history, recounted with sophisticated digital technology that encapsulates the origin of the legend of San Gimignano, givin visitors a deeper insight unto the town.
Reviewed By g0rd0n250 - San Gimignano, Italy
It is well worth visiting this house early on if you are visiting san Gimignano for the first time- and don’t miss the excellent video presentation. This gives a brief insight into the history of both the house and the town and helps put much of what you see later ( such as the frescoes in the duomo) into context.
2. Palazzo Pubblico e Torre Grossa
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 535 reviews
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
Beautiful San Gimignano, a small walled village about halfway between Florence and Siena, is famous for its fascinating medieval architecture and towers that rise above of all the other buildings offering an impressive view of the city from the surrounding valley. At the height of its glory, San Gimignano's patrician families had built around 72 tower-houses as symbols of their wealth and power. Although only 14 have survived, San Gimignano still retains its feudal atmosphere and appearance. The most famous and highest preserved tower is, the Torre Grossa. There are very few destinations in the region that are as awe-inspiring as the Torre Grossa, the highest tower of San Gimignano. It is located in Piazza del Duomo, on Palazzo del Podestà's right side, and has always been the symbol of civic pride. The construction of the Torre Grossa started on August 21, 1300, four months after Dante Alighieri visited the city. Municipal authorities wanted to enrich San Gimignano with a tower that would become the city's symbol. The building fulfilled a military function, as a watchtower, and a civil one as a bell tower. The Palazzo Comunale, the former Town Hall, is also located in Piazza della Duomo. The Palazzo, which was used historically as the residence of the Podestà (the Mayor) and the meeting place of the Public Council, was constructed between 1289 and 1298. Today it serves as the historical seat of the Musei Civici (the Civic Museums founded in 1853) and houses the Pinacoteca or Picture Gallery. Ouer tour of the Palazzo Comunale takes us through the various Council Chambers decorated with beautiful frescoes and artwork of the Florentine School. In the “Sala di Dante“, the ancient Council Hall named in honor of poet Dante Alighieri, It is located Lippo Memmi’s wall-covering 14th century fresco titled Maestà (Majesty).
3. Historic Centre of San Gimignano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,347 reviews
Reviewed By radostinas527
Visiting the historic center is a must - it will take you back in time and you will feel the authenticity of this beautiful town. The view is picturesque and the towers are magnificent. Pizza in one of the small restaurants and ice cream at the plaza will make your day very special! There are many shops where you can buy souvenirs, leather, delicious pastry and unique coffee.
4. Piazza del Duomo
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 615 reviews
Reviewed By asiyahnoemik - Pula, Croatia
Piazza del Duomo is a city square in beautiful San Gimignano. Today the Piazza Duomo is still the heart of San Gimignano, just as it was the centre of political and religious life in the Middle Ages. If the Duomo is the religious symbol of San Gimignano, the Palazzo del Popolo represents his civic symbol. Together, a few meters from each other, they form the unique architectural group of the Cathedral Square. The most imposing building is the Collegiata, it is at the centre, overpowering the piazza with its bulk as it sits on high atop a stairway. Exactly opposite is the Palazzo Vecchio del Podestà with the Torre Rognosa and the Torre Chigi alongside. The Collegiata, also know as the Duomo, gives its name to the piazza and has been there since the 11th century. In the first half of the 13th century, during the period of greatest economic prosperity, the piazza assumed the appearance it still has today. The main public buildings were built here, and the façade of the Duomo was rotated to face the Palazzo Vecchio del Podestà. It is a brick, trapezoid-shaped space with a slight slope, adding to the wonder of those who upon entering find themselves all of a sudden at the centre of the Middle Ages. Three important medieval buildings face one another here: On the north side, projecting up into the sky, are the Torri Gemelle dei Salvucci. On the opposite side is the Palazzo Nuovo del Podestà with the Loggia del Comune. Beside it is the massive Torre Grossa.
5. Mura di San Gimignano
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 113 reviews
Reviewed By romanshorner - Munich, Germany
The city wall of San Gimignano was build for defensive reasons and surounds parts of the city. You can walk along partly and you have a nice view down on the landscape of Tuscany. As the city lost its importance after the Middle Ages, it is kept quite in orginal condition. The conservation status of the wall is good. So I recommend you to walk at least a part of it.
6. Porta San Giovanni
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By romanshorner - Munich, Germany
It is an imposing old city gate, like in the past a lot of cities had. It is the southern entrance to the historic old city centre of San Gimignano. Due to the fate of the city, it is preserved like the whole structure of the city. It is in a good shape of conservertion.
