Walking into San Gimignano
by sim1
There are no cars allowed within the city walls, so I had to find a parking spot outside. Phew, that is not so easy! After almost driven three times around the town, I finally found a parking spot.
While strolling through San Gimignano I had a feeling that it was all so unreal. Not a real city, but more a museum. Everything was so clean and smoothly restored. It didn't have the atmosphere of a 'real' village or town. But nevertheless it was amazing to see. It was like stepping into the middle ages.
And what better to do than to take a rest, look around at all the historic buildings and towers, and take it all in. I am sitting here at the Piazza della Cisterna, looking around and being amazed by what I see. The piazza is an excellent place to sit down for a rest and take in all the beauty of San Gimignano.
Museo della tortura
by ct-bound
Not for the faint of heart, the museo della Tortura, or torture museum (located just over the top of the hill centre) was quite an eye-opener.
Filled with bona-fide implements of torture applied through history, the Inquisition has contributed a lot to this place!
Things like the 5-pronged skull-popper really stick out in my memory.
Admission 8€ adults, 5.50€ students
The Tuscan Countryside
by sargentjeff
San Gimingnano is a beautiful place to visit if you want to get a glimpse into the Tuscan countryside. I love it here, and the history is just all around. The buildings are centuries old, and I can promise San G will find a place in your heart.
Arco dei Becci e Cugnanesi
by croisbeauty
Via San Giovanni opens onto a small square overlooked by the Cugnanesi Tower, used in the 13th century as a watchtower. It is, as far as I am concerned, the most pitoresque part of the town. At the end of the street there is the church of the Brotherhood of Saint Fina housing a collection of the birds, while on the right are beautiful Becci and Cugnanesi arches.
Torre del Diavolo
by MM212
Located on Piazza della Cisterna, Torre del Diavolo owes its name to an intriguing legend. It is said that the owner of the tower once came back from a long trip only to find the tower higher than when he had left. He attributed the increase in height to the devil, and so the tower has become known as the tower of the devil (Torre del Diavolo). The tower is now part of the adjacent Palazzo dei Cortesi, which was built with the stones of fallen towers of San Gimignano.