Gimignano | Hello from the Five Star Vagabond

Medieval village San Gimignano

September 24, 2013 by David Herd

Beautiful San Gimignano

Medieval village San Gimignano

Medieval village San Gimignano Tuscany, I first went there in 2001 and again 5 years later in 2006. You may notice the difference in quality of my photos. Obviously by 2006 digital cameras had improved out of sight.

San Gimignano, is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The town also is known for the white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, produced from the ancient variety of Vernaccia grape which is grown on the sandstone hillsides of the area. This is really a wonderful Medieval village.

Drinking wine in San Gimignano.

Here are my two lovely Italian friends Francesca & Barbara a.k.a. Gypsy. We met 6 months ago in 1999 at Koh Samui in Thailand. I’m still in contact with Francesca who lives in Florence also however I’m sad to say Barbara married had a child and lost touch with me. 🙁

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Medieval village San Gimignano

In the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, it was a stopping point for Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome and the Vatican, as it sits on the medieval Via Francigena. The city’s development was also improved by the trade of agricultural products from the fertile neighbouring hills, in particular saffron, used in both cooking and dyeing cloth and Vernaccia wine, said to inspire popes and poets.

Making music in San Gimignano

Making music in San Gimignano, there is a surprise around every corner.

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Towers in San Gimignano.

San Gimignano is famous for its Medieval village architecture, unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses, which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls form “an unforgettable skyline”

Another photo of the square from a different angle.

In 1199, the city made itself independent from the bishops of Volterra and established a podestà, and set about enriching the commune, with churches and public buildings. However, the peace of the town was disturbed for the next two centuries by conflict between Guelphs and Ghibellines, and family rivalries. This resulted in families building tower houses of increasing height. Towards the end of the Medieval period they were 72 in number and up to 70 metres (230 feet) tall. The rivalry was finally restrained when it was ordained by the council that no tower was to be taller than that adjacent to the Palazzo Comunale.