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SAN GIMIGNANO
San
Gimignano is probably the most photographed city in the province
of Siena. The unique profile with the towers which you see from
far away, dominating the hills of the Val d’Elsa. An exceptional
testimony of the Tuscan medieval architecture, San Gimignano is
intact and allows the visitor to make a breathtaking leap back to
the past. San Gimignano, developed between the IX and the XII century
in the crossroads between Via Francigena and Via Pisana, soon became
a flourishing trade-market, with its first public buildings in the
13th century.
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The walls date back to 1251, enlarged and fortified after the
battle of Monteaperti. The first towers were built during the same
period, which reach 72 metres during their most splendid period. The
Porta San Giovanni, rebuilt in 1262, is located where the street with
the same name starts, which once was the urban part of Via Francigena
and is lined by marvellous buildings from the XIII-XIV century. The
street ends at the Arco dei Becci, at the first boundary wall. Piazza
della Cisterna, with the particular triangle plant, was built in 1273
and is surrounded by majestic medieval tower-houses. Piazza del Duomo
is the monumental centre of San Gimignano and is surrounded by tower-houses
from the 13th century, the Collegiata, the Palazzo del Popolo and
the Palazzo del Podestà, built between the XII and the XIV
century and dominated by the powerful tower called “Rognosa”.
The
Collegiata dedicated to Santa Maria Assunta is a Romanesque building
founded in the 13th century and enlarged in 1460, designed by Giuliano
da Maiano. Inside you find a cycle of frescoes from the middle of
the 14th century and the chapel Santa Fina. The Colleciata also hosts
frescoes by Domenico Ghirlandaio and by Benedetto da Maiano, the author
of the altar-frontal. Not far form the Collegiata you have the Museo
Etrusco and the Museo di Arte Sacra, which features paintings, miniature
anthem-books, sacred items and vestments. The Palazzo del Popolo is
the town hall of San Gimignano. Built in the 13th century and enlarged
the following century, the building is dominated by the tower Torre
Grossa and crowned with Guelph merlons which were added in the 18th
century. In the same building you also find the Museo Civico. Via
San Matteostarts after the chancellery arch, an opening in the first
boundary wall and ends at the gate with the same name. Nearby you
might visit the Chiesa di San Agostino, in a Romanesque-Gothic style,
which preserves a masterpiece by Piero del Pollaiolo representing
the Cororonation of Mary and the huge fresco by Benozzo Gozzoli dedicated
to the Life of St. Augustine. From the Porta alle Fonti you descend
towards the old wool wash-houses. 10 marvellous arcades built between
the XII and the XIV century. Apart from its fascinating monuments,
San Gimignano is famous for the excellent wine production: the Vernaccia
di San Gimignano, a white wine with a quality guaranteed by the mark
Docg, the Chianti Docg, the Vin Santo, the red and rosé of
San Gimignano guaranteed by the mark Doc.
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