Introduction:

Leaving Florence and driving along the Tuscany countryside we will reach San Gimignano,

a tiny city that has remained intact through the centuries; the city is situated on top of a hill

and is famous for its numerous towers, frescoes and other art treasures.

San Gimignano is the most famous of the Tuscan “hilltop towns.” The medieval “skyscrapers”

that make up the skyline made San Gimignano famous among visitors to Tuscany.

While many fell into disrepair over the centuries, there are still many standing, giving silent

testimony to the rivalries between the wealthy families of medieval San Gimignano.

San Gimignano rose from an ancient etruscan settlement around a seventh century parish

and a castle gave to the Volterra’s episcope in 929; during the XII century became a city-republic.

Its first walls were born in 998, when San Gimignano became a business centre along the

Francigena Way.

The families, enriched with the commerce, ordered 72 towers to be built (but, as the law forbade, everyone could not exceed in height the Commune tower, called Rognosa).

Further to the continuous infighting between Guelfi and Ghibellini factions (in 1300 also

Dante Alighieri stopped there few days as Guelfi’s league ambassador) and to the conflict

with Volterra, in 1343 was subordinated to the duke of Athens and in 1353 was subdued to

Florence, following later the rule of Grand Duchy of Tuscany till 1860.

The Urban structure and the numerosity of civil and religious buildings, almost intact, preserve

the medievale fascination; nowdays remain only 15 of the 72 towers, unbroken or cropped, but

they are enough to give an unmistakable mark to the town.

 

 

Departure Point: Your central Florence hotel

Return Details: Tour concludes at your central Florence hotel

Total time: 5 hours

Prices per car (NOT per person)

The above prices include: private car, english speaking driver, VAT, taxes, tolls, parking.

The above prices do not include: meals and entrance fees.

Optional service:

3 hours private licensed english speaking guide in San Gimignano: surcharge Euro 250

You are not forced to book a guide, of course.

Anyway, your english speaking driver will take you to San Gimignano but he cannot escort and explain you to the small pedestrian area of San Gimignano downtown where churches and historic buildings are, because standing to the italian law only the LICENSED guides are allowed to conduct or guide visitors around historic sites.

In case you do not book a guide, you will explore the pedestrian area on your own, while the driver will be waiting for you near the car.