San Gimignano
A quick 45 minutes drive down the Firenze-Siena
superstrada (this can be joined from Firenze Certosa on the main
Autostrada) lies San Gimigniano a historic town with famous towers
and glorious views. A town declared by UNESCO as part of the world's
historical heritage. At more than 300 metres high the imposing towers
dominate the Elsa Valley below.
The town started its life in the 10th century
taking it's name from the Bishop of Modena St. Gimignano who saved
the village from hoardes of raiding barbarians. During the middle
ages the town increased in wealth largely due to the trading of the
pilgrims that passed through the town. This in turn brought the decorative
arts to the churches and monasteries.
In 1348 the population of the town was culled
by the Black death and eventually (San Gimigniano having managed to
become independent municipality in 1199) became part of Florence in
1353.
 
In the centuries that followed San Gimignano
rediscovered it's agricultural heritage and today it can be found
on many visitng tourists itineraries.
Things not to miss:
The Duomo: from 1148 this impressive building
is adorned with frescoes.
The Museum of Sacred Art: lots of canvassas and sacred works of
art
The Archeological Museum: Etruscan, Roman and Medieval findings
from the town
The Church of St. Agostino: Frescoes, tablets and artwork
The Torture museum: A medieval torture musuem, fun if fairly gruesome!
Monteriggioni
A small medieval town called Monteriggioni, built
in 1213, lies on the way to San Gimigniano, it is one of Italy's
most familiar and well known walled towns.
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