San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a well-preserved medieval hill town, especially known for its fourteen surviving towers. Yesterday I traveled there from Florence, switching buses in Poggibonsi. San Gimignano, which originally was a Third Century, B.C. Etruscan village, eventually took its name in honor of a bishop who intervened to keep it from being overrun by followers of Attila the Hun. In the Fourteenth Century it prospered, until the Black Plague took about two thirds of its population. Here are some of the towers.

At one point, there were about seventy-two of them, a regular medieval Manhattan.

Like other medieval towns, San Gimignano has a surrounding wall, gates and narrow streets.

With the tourist draw of the ancient structures, there are many souvenir shops, restaurants, etc. However, what is lost in terms of historic atmosphere is partly offset by the town being preserved and kept alive through tourism. Besides, there's more available than just junk souvenirs. 

The sign over Balducci's Ceramics is an eyecatcher.

Yesterday there was a farmer's market underway. It seems that throughout Italy one finds fresh fruits and vegetables available at open markets.

Entry is through a side door to the Church of Sant'Agostino, which is richly decorated with Renaissance art.

San Gimignano is a popular filming location for movies requiring Middle Ages settings. For travelers with time, it makes for an interesting day trip.

Ciao.