San Gimignano
This little hilltop town perched atop the Tuscan mountains is often called Medieval Manhattan, due to its many skyscrapers that seem to be longing to touch that Tuscan sun.
72 towers were originally erected within the city walls, but fewer than 15 remain today, still a sight to behold.
Tour buses barely scrape by each other, entering the stone arches to the city. Tourist can be seen crossing themselves, with wide eyes and gapping mouths, staring in amazement that they have arrived unscathed.
A popular day trip from Florence and Siena, hoards of tourists descend on San Gimignano and people clutter the streets for hours on end.
But, as the tourists pack up and leave, shopping bags in hand, a hush falls over the town. The silence is deafening. Without the sea of human figures blocking them, lovely stoned facades that hide trattorias, shops and businesses line the small cobblestone alleyways and await your arrival.
There is a cisterna in the center of town.
La Collegiata, for fresco viewing . And even a Torture Museum?!
Climb the old fortress, known as La Rocca and watch the sunset over the picture perfect Tuscan landscape below. There is a movie cimena here in the summer months.
And if its views you desire, climb the Torre Grosso, one of the towers still left standing, for a 360 degree panorama of the countryside.
The lush green hills, both terraced and not, dotted with terracotta homes and cyprus, unfold for miles around you and are eventually swallowed up by the big blue sky.
Even our room from the hotel had a spectacular view of the landscape
and of neighboring yards, complete with grapevines.
Vernaccia, the white wine created locally, is available in the wine shops and on every trattoria menu in town. Regional olive oil and saffron are also specialties of the area.
When darkness falls, magic happens. The lights from the hotels and cafes flood the piazzas and bring a glow to the stone walls in the town, and with it, a special feeling. We had a lovely, homemade, authentic Tuscan dinner in a romantic haven called Trattoria Chiribiri.
We were lucky enough to spot a hot tub on the terrace of our hotel, the Leon Bianco. Not caring if it was meant for guest use, we snuck up one night, hopped in and enjoyed a little spa under the moonlit and star studded sky.
When we awoke the next morning, expecting to walk onto the serene piazza, we were pleasantly surprised to see the square transformed, albeit temporarily, with a vibrant street market.
Don't be fooled by the small size of the town, it has enough charm and activities to keep you busy longer than you would expect. Many just come for the day and leave, but for a true feel and to experience all it has to offer, stay on passed the tour buses and spend at least one night.
__________
Hotel Leon Bianco
Piazza Cisterna
San Gimignano
05 77 94 12 94
*
Trattoria Chiribiri
Piazza della Madonna
San Gimignano
05 77 94 19 48
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September 29th, 2008
I love Tuscany. My husband I dream of living there. Sigh, maybe someday.
September 29th, 2008
Hi, I’ve been reading your blog for awhile but don’t think I’ve ever commented. I love San Gimignano. I visited around this time last year as part of a whirlwind day trip out of Florence with my mom, two aunts and grandmother. I could have spent so much more time exploring the quaintness of the town, but it wasn’t meant to be on that trip. Hopefully I get another opportunity. I’d love to stay a night or two there. Thanks for bringing back lovely memories and for your beautiful photos.
September 29th, 2008
San Gimignano is a beautiful place. I recommended visiting there to my sister who was touring Italy with her family last year. They bought a small sword for their son who is passionate about castles and almost got arrested on their return to Australia. Lucky for them, it was just one centimetre under the consented limit!
September 29th, 2008
Joanne: Hmmm, maybe we can be neighbors then
Angela: Wow, your first comments- welcome then- and thanks for reading!! I sure hope you get the opportunity to spend more time there- it is a gem!!
Scintilla: Lucky for them is right!!! Whew, close one.
September 29th, 2008
Oooh, you just made me so sad that I’m not there. Thanks, as usual, for the beautiful pictures and Happy Monday!
September 29th, 2008
This seems like a place I would want to visit and then stay a while. Absolutely lovely.
October 7th, 2008
San gimignano is such a wonderful village ! I’m glad to see I’m not the only one to love it !