San Gimignano is a charming Tuscan town called the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages" due to the perfectly preserved 14th and 15th century residential towers, which are a characteristic element of its panorama.
The origins of the city date back to Etruscan times, and the remains of their settlement have been discovered in the area. San Gimignano flourished most in the Middle Ages. At that time, a trade route connecting Florence with Siena led here. It was then that most of the historic buildings that can be admired today were built. Well-preserved medieval buildings with residential towers have made San Gimignano a UNESCO site.
The main attraction of San Gimignano is its buildings. Stone houses, medieval churches led by the 12th-century Romanesque collegiate church of Santa Maria Assunta, defensive walls and, above all, residential towers, such as the Grossa Tower or the twin Salvucci Towers create a unique atmosphere and panorama of the city. The best way to admire it is from the road leading to Certaldo.
You can also visit several interesting museums in the city, including the Museum of Sacred Art, the Museum of Etruscan Art and the Museum of Torture. The squares with numerous restaurants and pubs are also beautiful. Among them, the most famous are Piazza del Duomo and Piazza della Cisterna.
San Gimignano is also famous for wine growing. There are numerous vineyards in the surrounding hills and the white Vernaccia wine produced here has a characteristic nutty flavor.
