San Gimignano, less than a 10-minute drive from the resort, is a World Heritage Site.
It only takes a few seconds to understand why.
With the wonder of a child as excitement grows, cross breathtaking piazzas and stroll among the narrow streets, home to the workshops of ceramic artists, leatherworkers and producers of local gourmet fare.
Piazza della Cisterna, which you reach by walking along Via San Giovanni, dotted with the ancient workshops of ceramic artists, leatherworkers and producers of local gourmet fare. This is where you can find Dondoli, the most famous gelateria in the world, as you can tell by the numerous awards it has won!
Located in the wonderful Piazza Duomo, in front of the church, are the old Palazzo del Podestà, Palazzo Comunale and the Pinacoteca, which houses works of art from the thirteenth to the seventeenth centuries.
From Palazzo Comunale you can access the Torre Grossa, the highest tower in the city, to enjoy a breathtaking panorama.
Going down the steps of the Duomo, the beautiful Piazza delle Erbe opens to the left, which perhaps gets its name from the countryside produce market that was also held there in the past. Continuing along Via San Matteo you arrive at the city gate, Porta San Matteo, and turning right you end up in Saint Augustine’s square (Piazza San Agostino), with the ancient convent of the Augustinian monks.
San Gimignano is also famous for its towers, and still has thirteen of them, to be admired while strolling through the charming hamlet. During the Middle Ages, a tower was the maximum symbol of power. The residence didn’t extend for the entire height of the tower. The workshops were located on the ground floor, the bedrooms on the first floor, and, higher up, was the kitchen.