What to see in San Gimignano, town of medieval towers in Tuscany

You will be used to visiting more and more cities with a financial area where tall and modern skyscrapers are concentrated.

But can you imagine visiting a small medieval village in whose urban center they concentrate up to 13 tall towers Built at that time?

Well, it exists: it is about San Gimignano, a surprising town that has become one of the essential tourist attractions in a trip through Tuscany, riding a Italy.

Even if you're reading it, you can't really appreciate the incredible contrast if you don't have a chance to visit San Gimignano.

This town is located halfway to a tourist route through TuscanyInter Florence y Siena, specifically, one hour by car from each of these cities.

Tour to San Gimignano from Florence

If to visit it instead of going on your own you prefer to sign up for a group with guide in spanish, here you have the information about a Tour to Gimignano from Florence, an excursion that also includes visits of Siena and Pisa.

On this excursion from the capital of Tuscany, after first visiting Pisa, you will reach a ranch in the region of Chianti, at the feet of San Gimignano, where you will enjoy a traditional meal.

And then you will climb the hill where it is located San Gimignano, where you will have an hour to walk through this surprising town of medieval towers.

Finally you will visit Siena and then return to Florence, completing your day of tourism in Tuscany.

Curiosities history of San Gimignano in Tuscany

The origins of San Gimignano dates back XII century, when it had a great boom precisely because it was on the road to Roma.

As a great tourist attraction, if you visit it during the high holiday season (as was my case...), do not be surprised if as you go along the road that goes up to the hill where it extends San Gimignano, you find a long line of cars.

It is the warning that it is going to be difficult for you to park.

Although there are some small parking At the entrances to the town, they are completely overwhelmed by the influx of tourists.

That may force you to leave the car a little far from the access doors to the old medieval enclosure, outside the urban area of ​​the town, as happened during my visit.

What to see and do when visiting San Gimignano in one day

Well, in fact, San Gimignano It is a small town surrounded by a Wall, with narrow pedestrian streets where cars cannot access.

Stroll along Via Diacceto in San Gimignano

As you walk along its main street (perhaps completely surrounded by tourists), the Via Diacceto, you must look at each of the houses and corners of the town.

They happen palaces, but also the craft shops and remembrances.

Duomo Square in San Gimignano

You will finally arrive at two central squares of San Gimignano, Those of the Duomo and Tank, where most of the 13 towers that stand like a medieval skyscraper.

They are towers built in stone, the one being taller, since that was the objective of the rival families who built them during the 12th and 13th centuries.

Romanesque collegiate church and Popolo palace in San Gimignano

In the Duomo Square is the Collegiate Church, romanesque church from the 12th century, where you can see numerous frescoes, and the Popolo Palace, old town hall from 1288.

This now houses the Civic Museum, from where you can climb to the top of the only tower open to the public, which is precisely the highest.

Cistern Square in San Gimignano

For its part, the adjacent Cistern Square It is the true nerve center of San Gimignano, and in it is the well that gives it its name.

Do not stop have an ice cream in the ice cream parlor that proudly announces that it sells ice creams world champions.

I don't know if it's true, but I can confirm that they are delicious.

Tuscan Viewpoint in San Gimignano

Nor do you stop approaching the gazebo which is located behind the Cistern Square, from where you have excellent panoramic views of the landscapes of this beautiful region of the Toscana.

If it were possible to eliminate all the tourists at a stroke, I assure you that due to its environment and buildings, in San Gimignano You would be transported to medieval times.

Map: how to get to San Gimignano

San Gimignano It is located 60 kilometers south of the city of Florence, and by car you will arrive in an hour.

From Pisa It will take you an hour and a half, and from Siena, the other large city in Tuscany, you will arrive in 40 minutes.