……… windows and ramparts of this medieval town.
Placed on top of a hill dominating the Elsa Valley this lovely town is renowned for its numerous towers gathered in the historic centre and very close to one another.
Today there are only 14 of the original 72 towers.
Although San Gimignano is of Etruscan origin, it started to develop only around the 12th century when the famous “Via Franchigena” was built close by.
Tuscany’s best white wine “Vernaccia di San Gimignano”, is available all over the town of towers.
It was the first DOC wine in Italy and is today one of the few DOCG whites in the country.
The Consortium of Vernaccia producers dates back at least to 1276.

Nearby:
VOLTERRA, from it’s magnificent rocky promontory, the city surveys the sometimes wild, vast countryside surrounding it.
It’s full of workshops where artisans craft the local alabaster into translucent souvenirs.
From a windswept terrace road you can look over some of Tuscany’s best preserved Roman ruins.

MONTERIGGIONI, tiny village built by the Senese at the beginning of the 13th century as a defence outpost against the attacks of the Florentines.
It has the aspect of a fortress and it’s completely surrounded by 14 towers and strong walls.

COLLE VAL D’ELSA, famous for its production of handmade crystal, has developed on 3 decreasing urban levels: il Borgo, il Castello, il Piano.