SAN GIMIGNANO – One of the most unique Tuscan towns, thanks to its severely Medieval aspect (bristling with tali towers and protected by its perfectly intact fortifications). Most prosperous during the 12th and 13th centuries, when it enjoyed the status of Free Commune (frequently at war with Volterra and devoured by internecine strife), it finally surrendered to Florence in 1354.

The most typical product of its carefully tended slopes is an excellent white wine, known as vernaccia wine of the best in Tuscany. From spacious Piazza Martiri di Monte Maggio, one enters the walled town via Porta San Giovanni, the gate cut ìnto the 13th century walls, and climbs up Via San Giovanni, flanked by ancient mansions, towards the centre of the town. Passing beneath the Arco dei Becci, one emerges into the wide, triangular Piazza della Cisterna, that derives its name from the cisterna (well – 13th/14th cent.) in the middle of the square, which is surrounded by ancient buildings, such as Palazzo Tortoli and the two Ardinghelli towers. Continuing onwards, one comes to the Cathedral square. the Palazzo del Podestà (13th/14th cent.) is to ones right, with its loggia and a high tower, called the Rognosa, the latter flanked by the 13th century Chigi Tower, opposite, one espies the two Salvucci towers, to the left, at the top of a high flight of steps, is the Collegiata (Cathedral), a Romanesque building, restructured in the 15th century by Giuliano da Maiano. The interior, with a nave flanked by two side-aisles, contains a rich selection of works of art. the inner façade and the first part of the upper nave walls are decorated with frescoes depicting the Last Judgement: the Paradise and Hell scenes are by Taddeo di Bartolo (1393), beneath the Judgernent scenes, is the Martyrdom cf St. Sebastian, by Benozzo Gozzoli; the walls of the left aisle are frescoed with scenes from the Old Testament by Bartolo di fredi c. 1367), whereas the walls ofthe right aisle are decorated with frescoed scenes from the New Testament (by Barna da Siena, c. 1350); at the end of the right aisle one fìnds the splendid Chapel of St. Fina, a masterpiece by Benedetto and Giuliano da Maiano (1468) frescoed with Episodes from the Life of che Saint, by Ghirlandaio, the Annunciation frescoed on the end wall of the outside loggia, to the left of the Cathedral, is al so attributed to the Circle of Ghirlandaio. On the southern side of the Cathedral square is the Palazzo del Popolo (People’s Palace – end of the 13th century), where one can admire the Civic Museums (Maestà, by Lippo Memmi) and the Picture Gallery (Pinacoteca), which one reaches by c1imbing up to the upper floors via the charming little inner courtyard, the Picture Gallery contains interesting works by florentine and Sienese masters a Crucfix, by Coppo di Marcovaldo, two tondi, by Filippino Lippi, paintings by Benozzo Gozzoli, Bartolo di Fredi and Mainardi. from the square, one continues down the pìcturesque Via San Matteo (the Pesciolini tower-mansion – end of the 13th century), until one reaches a great Romanesque-Gothic church of the end of the 13th century Sant’Agostino, which contains an altar by Benedetto da Maiano and exceptional frescoes by Benozzo Gozzoli (in the apse), depicting episodes from the Life of St. Augustine. The Rocca (fortress – 14th century) commands the superb view at the top of the town.
Tuscany Accommodation by Daniela Catellacci