San Gimignano
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San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill-top town in Tuscany, Italy, about a 35 minute drive north-west of Siena. It is mainly famous for its medieval architecture.
In Tuscan medieval walled towns, rich families competed in the erection of high towers, that served as lodgings, fortresses and prestige symbols. While in other cities like Bologna or Florence, most or all of the towers have been brought down due to wars, catastrophes or urban renewal, San Gimignano managed to conserve about 50 towers of varying height. The modern town has extended some kilometres out and is no longer affected by this race.
San Gimignano is also famous for its Torture museum, with a display of instruments and devices for torture in various times and places, complete with multi-lingual descriptions of their use.
There are many churches in the town: the two main ones are the Collegiata and Sant'Agostino.
The town is also known for the white wine grown in the area, Vernaccia di San Gimignano.
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External links
- http://www.sangimignano.net - History, Tourist informations, Events and Photo gallery.
- Photographs of San Gimignano (http://www.lodgephoto.com/galleries/italy-tuscany/sangimignano/)de:San Gimignano
it:San Gimignano ja:サン・ジミニャーノ nl:San Gimignano pt:San Gimignano sv:San Gimignano