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The towers of San Gimignano

December 20, 2018 | Michael Turtle | 5 Comments

WORLD HERITAGE SITE

San Gimignano, Italy

San Gimignano is a city of towers. Fourteen in total these days (although at one point there were as many as 72!). Built during the fourteenth century, they were status symbols of the various families. Phallic-like, it was all about size.

The Italian city of San Gimignano was once one of the richest in the region. Knowing that means the towers make more sense.

What better way to show off your wealth than with enormous structures like these?

San Gimignano, towers, Tuscany, Italy

You first see the towers from afar – they’re high up on a hill and, with the city walls around them, look like an intimidating fortress.

You can just imagine envoys of horsemen travelling there from around the region, no need for a map because they can see their destination so well, no need for awe because that will strike them itself.

San Gimignano, towers, Tuscany, Italy

The city is full of tourists these days. In some ways it’s hard for them to appreciate the true glory of San Gimignano.

Partly because you can’t really imagine how it would have been if all 72 towers still existed. But also partly because you lose a sense of scale when you’re actually in the city.

Only from the distance, when all is relative, do they really stand out.

This is a great day trip in Tuscany and there are some tours you can take to show you the highlights. I would recommend one of these:

Rather than bore you with more words, here, in pictures, is San Gimignano. They include the evidence of a rather risqué installation art project going on in the city at the moment.

San Gimignano, towers, Tuscany, Italy

San Gimignano, towers, Tuscany, Italy

San Gimignano, towers, Tuscany, Italy

San Gimignano, towers, Tuscany, Italy

This is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more info click here. You can see all the UNESCO World Heritage Sites I’ve visited here.

Reader Interactions

    Comments Cancel reply

  1. Steven Taylor |

    June 1, 2012 at 11:32 am

    Reply

    Is the artist asleep or looking for a painting for you? Looks a like a relaxing place to have a nap – so no complaints!

    • Michael Turtle |

      June 6, 2012 at 3:17 am

      Reply

      I think sleep is the answer. They’re big on their siestas in that part of Italy! 🙂

  2. candice michelle |

    June 5, 2012 at 5:13 am

    Reply

    Wow! very nice place! very nice to visit! This is my first time to see this and I’m very impressed with the place!

    • Michael Turtle |

      June 6, 2012 at 3:19 am

      Reply

      Yes, it’s got quite a unique look to it!

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This is the website of travel writer, Michael Turtle. After working in broadcast journalism for a decade in Australia, Michael left Sydney to travel the world indefinitely and write about the places, people and experiences he discovers. This isn't a diary - these are real stories from the world.

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