San Gimignano
by BarbieGirl
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.
Countryside
by micas_pt
The countryside surrounding San Gimignano is very beautiful. At the turn of each curve on the road you might be surprised at the breathtaking landscape that meets you.
The landscape varies between plains and slight hills, abandoned houses or active farms, isolated trees or groups of trees on the slopes, and you will surely come across vineyards and the wine routes.
If visiting San Gimignano by car, reserve some time to drive around and enjoy the landscape.
Wandering around...
by shivan
...the village streets is a lovely experience.
You feel yourself transported back to the middle ages here.
Getting lost is impossible (the village is too small). The village is somehow circular, the streets climbing to the hill.
Piazza del Duomo
by micas_pt
Along with Piazza della Cisterna, Piazza del Duomo is the centerpiece of San Gimignano, although the later is more important due to the fact that the main buildings of the village are situated there – the Cathedral (Duomo) and the Palazzo del Popolo (Town Hall).
This is a bustling square, full of visitors. You will probably have to queue and wait to visit any monument here, mainly the above mentioned which also house Museums. Apart from these, there are also some cafes and tourist shops.
Across the church, there is another Palace worth mentioning – the Palazzo del Podestá with its Tower.
Piazza della Cisterna - The left side
by Cristian_Uluru
On the right side of Piazza della Cisterna you can see Palazzo dei Cortesi with the tower called %Tower of the Devil. On the west side of the square there are the two wonderful %Twin towers of the Ardinghelli which was a very famous merchant family who had business with Far East and North Europe. Near the twin tower there is the Torre Pellari built in 1237.