San Gimignano

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Comune di San Gimignano
Image:San Gimignano-Stemma.png Municipal coat of arms
Country	Image:Flag of Italy.svg Italy
Region	Tuscany
Province	Siena (SI)
Mayor	Marco Lisi (since June 2004)

Elevation	324 m
Area	138 km²
Population
- Total (as of December 31, 2005)	7,105
- Density	51/km²
Time zone	CET, UTC+1
Coordinates	43°28′N 11°03′E
Gentilic	Sangimignanesi
Dialing code	0577
Postal code	53037

Patron	St. Geminianus
- Day	January 31
Website: www.comune.sangimignano.si.it

San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill-top town in Tuscany, Italy, about a 35 minute drive north-west of Siena and about the same distance southwest of Florence. It is mainly famous for its medieval architecture, especially its towers. Because of its position atop a hill the skyline can be seen for several miles outside the town.

The town is also known for the white wine grown in the area, Vernaccia di San Gimignano.

1 History
2 Main sights
3 Culture
4 External links

[edit] History

San Gimignano was founded in the 3rd century BC by the Etruscans, as a small village. The city's documented history begins however in the 10th century AD, when it took the name of the bishop, Saint Geminianus, who had defended it from the attack of Attila's Huns.

In medieval and Renaissance times it was a stopping point for pilgrims on their way to Rome and the Vatican as it sits on the medieval via Francigena. The city's development was also boosted by the trade of agriculture products from the fertile neighbouring hills. In 1199, during the period of its highest splendour, the city made itself independent from the bishops of Volterra. Divisions between Guelph and Ghibellines parties troubled the inner life of the commune, which however managed to embellish itself with artworks and architectures.

On May 8, 1300, San Gimignano hosted Dante Alighieri in his role of ambassador of the Guelph League in Tuscany.

The city flourished until 1348, when the plague that hit all Europe compelled it to submit to Florence. San Gimignano became a secondary centre until the 19th century, when its status of touristic and artistic resort began to be recognized. Image:SanGiminiano.jpg

[edit] Main sights

In Italian medieval walled towns, rich families competed in the erection of high towers, that served as lodgings, fortresses and prestige symbols. While in other cities like Bologna or Florence, most or all of the towers have been brought down due to wars, catastrophes or urban renewal, San Gimignano managed to conserve 13 towers of varying height which are its international symbol.

There are many churches in the town: the two main ones are the Collegiata (former cathedral) and Sant'Agostino, housing a wide series of artworks from some of the main Italian renaissance artists. The Communal Palace, once seat of the podestà, is currently home of the Town Gallery, with works by Pinturicchio, Benozzo Gozzoli, Filippino Lippi, Domenico di Michelino, Pier Francesco Fiorentino and others. From the palace the Dante's Hall can be accessed, with a Majesty fresco by Lippo Lemmi, as well as the Torre del Podestà (or Torre Grossa, 1311), standing 54 m high.

San Gimignano is also famous for its Torture museum, with a display of instruments and devices for torture in various times and places, complete with multi-lingual descriptions of their use. Image:View -3.jpg