SAN GIMIGNANO is a nice medieval city, known as "the town of the beautiful towers", where many noble families and rich merchants lived. at the beginning there was an Etruscan village but the development started in Middle Age thanks to the Via Francigena, an important road for pilgrims and merchants. San Gimignano became a city state officially in 1199 and fought against Volterra and other cities. The decadence started in 1348 because of the Plague and the alliance with Florence which became more and more powerful. People became so poor and they couldn't restaure any towers which ruined. The city was forgotten for many centuries and it was discovered at the end of 18th century by writers and travellers. It was restaured and today is a nice and suggestive example of a medieval city.
The city is so small but rich in monuments and piazzas. Piazza della Cisterna, the Collegiate with a nice chapel dedicated to Saint Fina (frescoed by Ghirlandaio) and St. Augustine Church (free entrance), where benozzo Gozzoli, the Florentine painter frescoed the epysodes taken from the life of St. Augustine. Along the streets, we discover many handicrafts and unusual contemporary picture galleries.

Lenght of the visit: half day. Tickets for Collegiate, Torre Grossa and the Town Hall.

This is a tour for walkers.