City Gates & Walls
by sue_stone
San Gimignano is a magical place, made more so by the city walls that surround it - I do love visiting a medieval town with its majestic walls making you feel like you are shut off from the outside world during your visit.
The original town walls were destroyed, and the current walls date back to the 13th century. They have been maintained to an excellent condition and are standing proudly today, with their 5 gates. When you arrive in San Gimignano, you will most likely enter the town via the main gate - Porta San Giovanni, at the southern end of town. This gate was built in 1262, and is unusual as it is topped with a guards room.
The other gate we came across was the Porta San Matteo, at the north western side of town, also dating back to 1262.
San Gimignano
by sim1
A last look at San Gimignano and its towers. What a fascinating place. It's no wonder that the Unesco put the historic centre of San Gimignano on the World heritage list in 1990. I hope to return some day to be mesmerized again by this historic little town.
Assagi con arte!..
by satara about Osteria del Carcere
From outside this place seemed like some cheap osteria, but when we got inside we found it very clean and well decorated. There are tables on the ground level and on the first floor if you go upstairs. Lots of various paintings and photos make your stay art-educating. We tried some kinds of local wine and I had soup and some salumi (sausage) and formaggi (cheese). As it was my birthday dinner I was really happy to be there.
And on your way out they let you try some candies for free... were delicious, but i took so little.. ah ah...
Duomo di Santa Maria Assunta
by Willettsworld
This 12th century Romanesque church contains a feast of frescoes. In the north aisle the frescoes comprise 26 episodes from the Old Testament (1367) by Bartolo di Fredi. The opposite wall features scenes from the "Life of Christ" (1333-41) by Lippo Memmi, while at the back of the church there are scenes from the "Last Judgement" painted by Taddeo di Bartolo.
The Town Hall
by croisbeauty
Actually, the Town Hall is better known as Palazzo del Popolo completed in 1298 and later extended several times. Towards the bottom right of the building there is the balcony where the Podesta swore allegiance to statutes and spoke to the people. The courtyard of the palace is in particularly interesting and beautiful. There stands the well, as in all courtyards, due to the problem concerning the town's water supply, while the walls are decorated with coat's of arms and frescoes. The frescoes are works of the most prominent painters of the age like Sodoma and Taddeo di Bartolo.
The beautiful staircase leads to the Counsel Hall, which was once reserved for the exclusive use of the Capitano del Popolo. It is also called Dante's Hall, after Dante Alighieri who in 1300 warmly advocated San Gimignano's participation in the Guelph League in Toscana. In the hall you can see also precious 14th century frescoe "Maesta", painted by Lippo Memmi.
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Gelato readily available
Piazza del Duomo
Santa Maria Assunta
by me
