The medieval hill city of San Gimignano, Italy is known for saffron, Vernaccia wine and sweeping skyline views. Discover the town of towers in our information to San Gimignano.
Approaching San Gimignano, medieval towers rise above inexperienced fields and pointy cypresses. Set on a hill, encircled by partitions and surrounded by stunning Tuscan countryside, that is the Manhattan of the Center Ages.
At one time in its lengthy historical past, there have been over 70 towers in San Gimignano. In the present day solely 14 stay; medieval reminders of the wealth that after prospered in Tuscany’s best hill city. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Website, the historic centre of San Gimignano is an enthralling place within the coronary heart of Italy.
The Duomo is ornately adorned with famend frescoes; the Pinacoteca is a small however wealthy assortment of artwork from the Center Ages, and a novel modern gallery blends the outdated with the brand new.
It might be small, however there are many nice issues to do in San Gimignano. Climb to tower-top vistas overlooking sweeping Tuscan surroundings, uncover tiny church buildings hidden in stealthy again streets, and revel in meals and wines solely produced on this tiny nook of Italy.
In our opinion, that is one of the best hill city in Italy. It’s simply accessible from the Renaissance charmer of Florence and the exceptional Gothic metropolis of Siena.
Right here’s methods to spend a day in San Gimignano.
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01 – DUOMO OF SAN GIMIGNANO
For slightly Italian hill city, San Gimignano has a really spectacular church. The Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta could look humble from the surface, however inside, it’s wall to wall frescoes. Painted within the 14th century, they continue to be very effectively preserved to at the present time.
The north wall tells the tales of Genesis together with a drunk Noah trying barely too excited, whereas the south wall has scenes of the New Testomony. On the rear of the church, the stirring picture of the Final Judgment was painted by famend Sienese painter Taddeo di Bartolo. Beneath, a fresco of St Sebastian being martyred was commissioned by the city after they believed the saint saved them from the plague in 1464.
The primary church was established right here within the 10th century and though it was enriched within the subsequent 500 years, it nonetheless retains the darkish and moody really feel that’s widespread all through this medieval city.
02 – STROLL THE MEDIEVAL STREETS
One of many joys of San Gimignano is to easily stroll the streets, protecting a watch out for towers punctuating the skyline. At one time there have been 72 within the compact outdated city. Every tower was constructed by a noble household to undertaking their wealth and energy. Immense competitors to be one of the best noticed them rise greater and better. Planning restrictions had been ultimately launched to curb the tower constructing frenzy.
After an earthquake induced many households to maneuver to Florence, jealous rivals tore down many of the towers and in the present day solely 14 stay.
It solely takes about an hour or two to wander virtually each road within the outdated city. Highlights embody Rocca, (the fortress) the place the remaining tower offers nice views; the 2 church buildings of Chiesa San Lorenzo and Chiesa Sant’Agostino; and Museo San Gimignano 1300 – containing a mini-recreation of how San Gimignano regarded within the 14th century.
In case you are tempted to stroll right down to the Fonti Medievali (a fountain beneath the city), we might counsel giving it a miss and saving your legs for the remainder of the day.
03 – LUNCH ON THE BACK STREETS
With an emphasis of conventional Italian cooking, most eating places in San Gimignano have comparable menus with good high quality meals. Your greatest guess is to maintain your eyes peeled as you wander round city for someplace that lures you in. Some rustic appeal; a very good nook spot or an interesting view.
There are three eating places in San Gimignano that stood out for us. La Botega and La Vecchia Nicchia sit facet by facet close to the northern gate of Porta San Matteo. Little tables buzzing with hubbub spill out onto the road, chalkboard menus give them a fresh-today really feel and the accompanying wine lists are in depth.
For our cash, Peruca has one of the best meals. The situation off the vacationer streets and in a darkish area below medieval stone arches, means that is extra in regards to the cooking than the setting. However the conventional Tuscan flavours with a contemporary twist had been magnificent. The faggotini with pears, pine nuts and saffron (for which San Gimignano is known) was among the best meals we had in Italy.
04 – GALLERIA CONTINUA
Tucked into its streets of San Gimignano is likely one of the best modern artwork galleries on this planet. Galleria Continua started life in 1990 in these unassuming cobbled streets and now has 7 galleries unfold throughout the globe from Paris to Beijing; Rome to Sao Paulo.
It focuses on modern exhibitions by dwelling artists throughout installations, sculptures, and work. They’ve two galleries in San Gimignano, proper subsequent to one another, however their works can be seen dotted round city.
With a daily rotation of exhibitions, examine what’s on throughout your go to to San Gimignano. On our journey, Han Op de Beeck’s The Boatman and Different Tales – a formidable assortment of sculptures – leapt out of the whitewashed rooms. Carlos Garaicoa’s Untrue Pictures used iPads on music stands to recreate a live performance within the outdated artwork deco cinema constructing. It’s a powerful slice of modernity in a medieval city.
We had no drawback strolling in, however they do suggest you ring to e book forward.
05 – HAVE A GELATO IN PIAZZA DELLA CISTERNA
San Gimignano appears to have an uncommon expertise for ice cream manufacturing with a number of shops declaring themselves one of the best on this planet. Not ones to belief promoting, we tried a number of to verify. We will verify that many had been in actual fact one of the best ice cream on this planet.
Gelateria Dondoli has a number of official-looking award certificates on their door testifying to their ice cream making prowess. They could be from 2006, however this solely attest to the endurance of Gelateria Dondoli within the aggressive ice cream making world of San Gimignano.
And certainly it was fairly good ice cream. However, sitting on the steps of Piazza della Cisterna, surrounded by brick homes and medieval towers, taking a break from sightseeing with an ice cream in hand is a superb factor to do in San Gimignano. Whether or not it’s one of the best on this planet, or solely the second greatest.
06 – PALAZZO DEL PÓPOLO
The Palazzo del Pópolo (generally referred to as Palazzo Communale) was the seat of presidency for San Gimignano however in the present day it homes the civic museum. The spotlight is the Madonna in Maestà, a wonderful fresco by well-known Sienese artist Lippo Memmi. He painted the work in 1317 and in the present day it’s nonetheless the showpiece in the principle corridor.
The Civic Museum of San Gimignano occupies the higher flooring of the Palazzo Comunale and it’s effectively price taking a look round. There’s a small chapel full of fascinating work, and the following ground up comprises a tiny gallery filled with works by notable artists. You will discover artwork by Filippo Lippi, Il Sodoma, Pinturicchio, plus many extra.
07 – TORRE GROSSA
From the highest ground of the Palazzo Communale, slender steps spiral as much as the Torre Grossa. At 54 metres it’s the tallest tower remaining in San Gimignano and the views from the highest are a few of the greatest we present in Tuscany.
The opposite 13 towers rise from the outdated city with the tiled roofs of the encircling homes disappearing off in the direction of stunning Tuscan countryside. Arrive on the high of the tower as near sundown as doable to see the view illuminated in a comfortable orange mild.
There are 200 steps to barter and a ladder to climb up on the finish. It’s essential hold your head low because it’s a confined area. However as soon as on the high, it’s among the best issues to do in San Gimignano.
Even in case you’re simply in San Gimignano on a day journey from Florence, Torre Grossa is one thing you need to undoubtedly find time for.
08 – WINE TASTING
The world round San Gimignano produces certainly one of Italy’s best white wines, Vernaccia.
It was the primary Italian wine to be awarded the DOC standing in 1966, and it was upgraded to DOCG in 1993. Since, Renaissance instances, this crisp white wine has been produced from the sandstone vineyards surrounding San Gimignano, so whereas within the space it could be insanity to not give it a attempt.
Our favorite spot to pattern Vernaccia was Gustavo Mescit Vini. This pleasant enoteca has a few tables on the road and educated employees who will aid you choose the precise wine to go along with the number of tasty morsels they’ve obtainable to eat.
Only a few doorways down at 11 San Matteo is All’11 Salsamenteri, a stunning deli providing a wonderful number of conventional Tuscan bites. The Golden Ham – distinctive to San Gimignano – is aged for at least 14 months and flavoured with domestically produced saffron.
TIPS FOR VISITING SAN GIMIGNANO
1 – The centre of San Gimignano is small and simply explored on foot. Nevertheless, it’s on high of a hill so there’s a little bit of up and down. Put on snug footwear.
2 – For those who plan on seeing all the principle sights listed in our information, it’s price getting the €13 Metropolis Go. Its legitimate for 2 days and covers the Duomo, Torre Grossa, Palazzo del Popolo (Communale) and Pinacoteca in addition to another websites we haven’t included (Museo Archaeologio, Speziera di Santa Fina, Galleria, and the Church of San Lorenzo in Ponte).
3 – The Duomo is closed on Saturday and Sunday mornings so it’s greatest to return on a weekday.
4 – Face coverings are required in all indoor areas in Italy – a rule that was extensively adopted by locals and vacationers. Be sure to have a masks and a spare with you as a result of you’ll be denied entry with out it.
5 – On the time of writing, the EU Inexperienced Go was required to enter all indoor areas in San Gimignano together with bars, eating places, church buildings, retailers, gyms and museums. For UK travellers the NHS COVID Journey Go (Dose 1 and Dose 2) is accepted rather than the EU Inexperienced Go. US travellers ought to carry their CDC vaccine card.
6 – It is likely to be a good suggestion to carry a printout of your EU Inexperienced Go equal documentation, at the very least make sure that your cellphone is effectively charged if you’re utilizing a digital model.
7 – Unvaccinated travellers are required to point out proof of a unfavourable COVID check throughout the final 48 hours to realize entry to indoor areas.
HOW TO GET TO SAN GIMIGNANO
SAN GIMIGNANO PARKING
The best option to get to San Gimignano is to drive. It’s 45 minutes from Siena; 1 hour from Florence and 1 hour quarter-hour from Pisa.
Take care to not by accident drive into the outdated walled city because the roads are slender and bumpy. A number of automobile parks are situated simply outdoors the town partitions. Automotive parks 2 and 3 are proper subsequent to the partitions; parks 1 and 4 are a 10-minute stroll away. There may be loads of parking, however they will get full rapidly in peak season so attempt to begin your day early.
BY PUBLIC TRANSPORT
The closest prepare station is at Poggibonsi, 12 kilometres from San Gimignano. The 130 bus from Poggibonsi to San Gimignano takes round 30 to 40 minutes.
From Florence, the 131 bus to Poggibonsi departs from the bus station (proper subsequent to the prepare station) each hour. Change at Poggibonsi to catch the 130 bus to San Gimignano.
Buses from Siena are direct and go away from Through Tozzi each hour taking 1 hour and quarter-hour.
BY TOUR
Fairly than navigating the bus routes it could usually be simpler and extra enjoyable to affix a tour. It additionally lets you go to 2 or 3 sights within the space in someday. Combining it with a half-day in Siena or a tour of Volterra may be a wonderful choice.
SAN GIMIGNANO, ITALY MAP
Now we have included our record of one of the best issues to do in San Gimignano on the beneath map so you may plot your course whereas visiting Tuscany.
Methods to use this map / Click on on the highest left of the map to show the record of areas, then click on on the areas to show additional info. Click on on the highest proper nook of the map to open a bigger model in a brand new tab or the star to save lots of to your Google Maps.
WHERE NEXT?
Positioned within the north of Italy, Siena is a wonderful base for exploring extra of the nation. With beautiful lakes and distinctive climbing, plus different historic Italian cities, listed here are some extra of our guides from the area.
The perfect issues to do in Florence
See the fantastic thing about the Italian lake on a Lake Como boat rental
Our 1-week Dolomites highway journey itinerary
Greatest issues to do in Bologna
Go to Santa Maddelana Church in Val di Funes
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