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San Gimigniamo World Heritage Site

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 artworThe Torture museum: A medieval torture musuem, fun if fairly gruesome!

The walls of Monteriggioni one of Italy’s most recognised “walled towns”.

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.