See this wonderful town without the crowds!
by BlueMenagerie
I had heard about the crowds at this special medevil town and didn't want that to spoil the atmosphere and experience here. So I rented a car for the day in Siena and visited Monteriggioni and Voltera before arriving in San Gimignano at around 5PM (It was May so still light). On the way I saw the bus park which had around 20 coaches in it. Most of the shops stayed open til dark, and the tower and church were open until 7PM which gave me plenty of time to see them first. Parking wasn't a problem either as there were many car parks that were being vacated as I arrived. Once dusk set in the magic was there to be felt. Empty streets and a busker playing classical music. It was great to beat the crowds. I can't imagine how busy this would have been with all the day trippers!
The towers of San Gimignano
by sim1
The towers of San Gimignano have amazed me since the first time I saw them. There are only 14 of the original 72 towers left. I just can't imagine having 72 towers in such a small town; it must have been amazing to see. The towers reflect a period in Italian history when neighbours were particularly quarrelsome and a person's house really was their castle. The noble families built stone house towers, competing with each other for the most impressive. And of course these fortified towers were also a good defence against invasions.
Restaurant that is closing at 9pm!
by satara about Ristorante "La Stella"
As we stayed for 4 days in San Gimignano and we ran out of the places we didn't eat yet, so this fancy restaurant was the only left choice. It was strange with the opening time of that restaurant. It was closing after lunch and opening at 7pm till 9pm for dinner and we found many people just waiting in the street near the door for the opening. Seemed really weird. But if you don't finnish eating at 9pm, they let you stay, don't worry. The only thing is that southern Italians love to start dinner at that time, not to finish! so we had difficulties in adjusting our stomach clock :) They gave us free of charge grissini (bread sticks) before the food arrived. I had some fried beef and salads, wasn't something extraordinary, but went down my stomach very nicely.
Convento di San Francesco
by croisbeauty
The convent of the Franciscans, actually its remains, is a Pisan-style white travertine facade, decorated with the Jerusalem Cross and the coat of arms of the art of wool. In 1353 the convent occupied the ancient mansion of the Templars, which was lost to the Maltese Knights in 1308.
Arco dei Becci
by Cristian_Uluru
At the end of Via San Giovanni you arrive to the Arco dei Becci. This door was built in the 11th century and was included in the first wall of the town. From this gateway you go the the religious and political heart of San Gimignano. Near Arco dei Becci there is the Torre dei Becci (as you can see in the photos), built in the 11th century for the Becci's, a very important merchant family during the Middle Ages.
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Chatting in the sun
Architecture along Piazza del Duomo
Plain façade
Long range view of the towers from the wall
