San Gimignano


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Europe » Italy » Tuscany » San Gimignano
September 30th 2012
Published: July 13th 2022
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San GimignanoSan GimignanoSan Gimignano

San Gimignano in Tuscany. Often called the "Medieval Manhattan" San Gimignano is known for its numerous stone towers. Built from the 13th century for defensive purposes, fourteen of an original seventy towers remain standing. Historic Centre of San Gimignano. UNESCO World Heritage site. DSC_0322p1
In the late afternoon was a special excursion to San Gimignano. We really regretted not taking a cab from Piazza della Repubblica to our hotel. We only had about 40 minutes to freshen up after an active day in the historic district and a long walk back.

In the event, shortly we were off on the motorcoach to San Gimignano. The Tuscan town is sometimes called the "Medieval Manhattan" due to its numerous tall towers. So we could gain an idea of its skyline, the coach stopped at a point where we were able to view the entire town and its skyline.

Arriving at San Gimignano itself, we entered the town through the Porta San Giovanni. As we made our way along Via San Giovanni It was becoming quite overcast with rain threatening. The street was lined with souvenir shops as one would expect, but also with jewelry stores. At ground level, if was difficult to see the towers. Only the tops of Torre Grossa, Torre dei Cugnanesi and Torre dei Becci could readily be observed. Along Via San Giovanni were a series of wooden nude sculptures. They were part of the installation of Another Time, a sculptural group
Porta San GiovanniPorta San GiovanniPorta San Giovanni

San Gimignano. Porta San Giovanni southern gate. It was the entrance for those coming from Siena along the the Via Francigena. Note the guardhouse at the top. Historic Centre of San Gimignano. UNESCO World Heritage. Inscribed 1990. DSC_0342
by British sculptor Antony Gormley.

By the time Susan and I arrived at Piazza della Cisterna, the center of the historic district, it was dark and rain was falling. We stopped for dinner at Caffeteria dell'Olmo and sat under an umbrella on the piazza. It ma have been dark but it was so enjoyable to dine with a view of the medieval Palazzo del Cortesi and Torre del Diavolo. I had a Pizza Bresaola al Rucola and Susan a Pizza Margherita. We followed this with refreshing gelato at the Gelateria dell'Olmo. After dinner it was time to retrace our steps to the coach parking area and return to Florence.

The walled city is all a part of the Historic Centre of San Gimignano UNESCO World Heritage site.


Additional photos below
Photos: 14, Displayed: 14


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Via FrancigenaVia Francigena
Via Francigena

Via Francigena interpretive marker. San Gimignano was a waypoint on the Via Francigena, a Medieval pilgrimage route from northern Europe to Rome. DSC_0335
Porta San GiovanniPorta San Giovanni
Porta San Giovanni

San Gimignano. Porta San Giovanni gate. It was the entrance for those coming from Siena along the the Via Francigena. Historic Centre of San Gimignano. UNESCO World Heritage. Inscribed 1990. DSC_0348p1
Via San GiovanniVia San Giovanni
Via San Giovanni

San Gimignano. Via San Giovanni and Torre Grossa. Historic Centre of San Gimignano. UNESCO World Heritage. Inscribed 1990. DSC_0345p1
Another TimeAnother Time
Another Time

Statues of six nude figures standing in various parts of San Gimignano are part of an exhibit project titled Another Time, by British sculptor Antony Gormley (2012). DSC_0349
San Gimignano TowersSan Gimignano Towers
San Gimignano Towers

San Gimignano. Torre Grossa is the tower to the left and Torre dei Cugnanesi to the right. View from Via San Giovanni. Historic Centre of San Gimignano. UNESCO World Heritage. Inscribed 1990. DSC_0351p1
Medieval Towers of San GimignanoMedieval Towers of San Gimignano
Medieval Towers of San Gimignano

Medieval towers of San Gimignano. Torre dei Cugnanesi to the left and Torre dei Becci to the right.. Historic Centre of San Gimignano. UNESCO World Heritage. Inscribed 1990. DSC_0354p1
Boar's HeadBoar's Head
Boar's Head

Boar's head and sausages. The local food specialty in San Gimignano is sausage made from locally caught wild boar. DSC_0355p1
Piazza della CisternaPiazza della Cisterna
Piazza della Cisterna

San Gimignano. Piazza della Cisterna. The tower is the Torre del Diabolo with the Palazzo dei Cortesi. Historic Centre of San Gimignano. UNESCO World Heritage. Inscribed 1990. IMG_0287p1
Pizza Bresaola al RucolaPizza Bresaola al Rucola
Pizza Bresaola al Rucola

Pizza Bresaola al Rucola served at Caffetteria dell'Olmo. IMG_0289
Pizza MargheritaPizza Margherita
Pizza Margherita

Pizza Marherita served at Caffetteria dell'Olmo. IMG_0290
Certosa del GalluzzoCertosa del Galluzzo
Certosa del Galluzzo

Certosa del Galluzzo - Charterhouse of Ema at Galluzo. The abbey was founded in 1341 as a Carthusian monastery. In 1957, a group of Cistercian friars replaced the Carthusian monks as the inhabitants of the Certosa. "On the hill of Montacuto, which is clothed with cypresses and olive-trees, at the confluence of the Ema with the Oreve and 5 min. above the road, rises the imposing Certosa di Val d'Ema (375 ft.). The monastery was founded in 1341 by Niceolo Aceiaioli, a Florentine who had settled at Naples and there amassed a large fortune by trading".--Baedeker 1906. DSC_0310p1


13th July 2022

One of our favorite towns
Looks like you ate well. We spent two days in San Gimignano and enjoyed ourselves. Tuscany is lovely.

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