Medieval meander - San Gimignano

San Giovanni gate

Our final day of medieval meandering took us on a day trip from Florence to the gorgeous walled hilltop town of San Gimignano, also known as the Town of Fine Towers. The journey took just over an hour and involved changing buses at Poggibonsi. San Gimignano lies 334m above sea level and is clearly visible in the distance with

San Gimignano delicacies for sale

its stunning skyline of soaring towers. These date back to

the 12th and 13th centuries and were originally built by well to do families to flaunt their power and wealth. Today 14 towers remain of the original 72. It really was like stepping back in time as we entered the ancient San Giovanni gate, through the 13th century city walls and immersed ourselves in this beautifully preserved medieval town. Not surprisingly it is yet another UNESCO World Heritage Site and is probably one of the most photogenic places we have ever been to.

Piazza delle Erbe

                                                  Towers and yet more towers

View from the top of the Torre Grossa

View down from the Torre Grossa

Sundial on the Sant'Agostino church by Giulio Paolini

The weather was glorious and as we were out of season there weren't too many tourists either so we had many of the narrow streets to ourselves. We slowly made our way to the Piazza del Duomo and had a look round the 13th century Palazzo Communale with its frescoed halls and collection of painted panels by

Figure by Anthony Gormley

Florentine artists from the 13th to 15th centuries. We climbed the 218 steps to the top of the Torre Grossa, the city's tallest tower standing at 54m. The 360° view from the top was well worth the effort! At the other end of town we visited the Spezieria di Santa Fina (the old hospital) which features a fascinating reconstruction of the ancient pharmacy. Upstairs we visited the Gallery of Modern and Contemporary art and discovered that since 1994 a selection of contemporary artists, including Anish Kapoor and Giulio Paolini, have installed artworks around the town. Armed with a map we went in search of some and found a fascinating juxtaposition of new blending in with the old. We also discovered Galleria Continua, one of the best commercial art galleries in Europe, tucked away in a converted cinema, with a wonderful Anthony Gormley sculpture lurking outside.

The peaceful Piazza Sant'Agostino

View from Rocca di Montestaffoli

Heavenly tunes

Our wandering also took us up above the town to the remains of the old 14th century fortress, Rocca di Montestaffoli. The setting was magical with views of the rolling Tuscan hills and the towers rising from below. Artists had set up their easels in the olive groves and we were entertained by roving musicians. 

Piazza della Cisterna

Finally we sat down in the Piazza della Cisterna for a rest and a glass of San Gimignano's famous crisp white Vernaccia wine. So famous it was even mentioned in Dante's Inferno! It is one of Italy's finest white wines and the first Italian wine to bear the title Controlled Designation of Origin (D.O.C.). The perfect end to the day before catching the bus back to Florence and our onward journey back to the boat the following morning.

View of San Gimignano from the bus stop