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San Gimignano

Landmark

San Gimignano

  • Florence
  • 1.5–2 hours
  • 1 experience to book

Walled hill town where 14 medieval tower-houses still stand, known for Vernaccia white wine and its 13th-century well square.

Things to do at San Gimignano

Guided tours

About San Gimignano

Rival families in medieval San Gimignano built tower-houses to show off their wealth. About 72 once stood; 14 survive. Plague and decline in the mid-1300s left the town poor, which is why its medieval layout escaped later rebuilding. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.

Inside the walls, Piazza della Cisterna is named after its 13th-century well, and the Collegiata church is lined with frescoes, including Ghirlandaio's chapel of Santa Fina. The local white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, is poured in wine bars along the main street.

Know before you go

  • Streets are steep and stone-paved; wear sturdy shoes.
  • The historic centre is closed to most traffic; coaches stop outside the walls.
  • The Collegiata, museums and Torre Grossa charge their own entry.
  • Churches may close to visitors during services.