San Gimignano
Presentation
"Coming from afar, the city landscape comes into sudden and silent as a door. It gives the impression that they can achieve, but once you've done this, you fall in your lap and you do not know where you are more"
Walter Benjamin
"following the wave of the green hills to San Gimignano, near the castle of the Grail"
Rudolf Borchardt
Events
Ferie delle Messi
Historical Center, the third week of June
Involves the historical center of San Gimignano, along the streets and squares are set up stalls of arts and crafts related to the Middle Ages; perform singers, musicians, actors. During the afternoon of Sunday listed on foot and on horseback parade in costume at the end and is disputed, the jousting tournament.
Inside and outside the walls - From City to City
Various venues, July and August
The calendar is marked by various events. In Piazza Duomo opera, drama, ballet, symphony concerts and chamber. Al Parco della Rocca cycle films. At the opera house opera concerts.
San Gimignano Music
Theater of Light, September and October
Concerts classical music
Treasures of San Gimignano - a beautiful city and good
October, November, December
A real treasure hunt! Only that casket there is one, but as there are so many treasures that San Gimignano is in the culinary, artistic, musical, craft, landscapes.
Useful Numbers
Tourist Information Office
Piazza del Duomo 1
Phone 0577 940008 - Fax 0577 940903
E-mail: prolocsg@tin.it; info@sangimignano.com
Getting there
- By car
- By train
The nearest station is in Poggibonsi-San Gimignano where you have to take a bus to reach San Gimignano - By bus
The direct bus to San Gimignano start over from the station Poggibonsi-San Gimignano and Siena also from Florence. See the sites of www.trainspa.it, www.sita-on-line.it to know the timetable. - By plane
The nearest airport is Florence Peretola which is about 80 km from Siena. From there take a bus to San Gimignano.
History
Born in the third century BC as a small Etruscan village, San Gimignano takes its name from the Holy Bishop of Modena who would defend the occupation of Attila around the tenth century.
During the Middle Ages, San Gimignano is experiencing a period splendor of economic, trade on agricultural products of the countryside, fostered by the way Francigena crossing the center. In 1199, the independence gained by the Bishops of Volterra, which was subject and became a free commune. In 1300 he was received as ambassador of the Guelph League in Tuscany, Dante Alighieri.
The situation changed in 1348 due to the spread of plague and famine, in San Gimignano eventually succumb to Florence, by covering a minor role until the end of when, for her beauty, was recognized by UNESCO World Heritage Site.