San Gimignano: Towers, Vernaccia Wine and What to See in the Historic Centre

San Gimignano is a small medieval hill town in the province of Siena, about 55 km south of Florence. Its skyline — defined by 14 surviving towers from an original 72 — is one of the most recognisable in Tuscany. The town is compact enough to cover on foot in half a day, and the local white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, gives a concrete reason to linger.

The Towers and the Historic Centre

San Gimignano was founded in the Etruscan period and grew into a significant stop on the Via Francigena — the pilgrim route from Canterbury to Rome — during the Middle Ages. The towers were built by wealthy families as symbols of status and power; at their peak there were 72. Fourteen remain standing today. The main entrance to the historic centre is through Porta San Giovanni, from where Via San Giovanni leads directly to the central squares.

Piazza della Cisterna is the older of the two main squares, named after the 13th-century well at its centre. It is surrounded by brick palaces and the Torre del Diavolo (Devil’s Tower). The adjacent Piazza Duomo holds the Collegiata — the cathedral — whose interior is covered in fresco cycles depicting the Old and New Testament. The Palazzo Comunale houses the city’s civic museum and the Torre Grossa, the tallest surviving tower, which can be climbed for views over the Val d’Elsa. Walking the city walls adds another perspective on the surrounding landscape.

Vernaccia di San Gimignano

Vernaccia di San Gimignano is the main reason many food-focused visitors make the trip. It is a dry white wine produced from Vernaccia grapes grown in the hills around the town — one of the first Italian wines to receive DOC recognition (1966) and later upgraded to DOCG (1993). Michelangelo, who knew it well, described it as a wine that “kisses, bites, and stings.” Production runs to around 9 million bottles a year.

The Vernaccia Wine Museum is housed in the Villa della Rocca di Montestaffoli, a short walk uphill from the centre, with views over the vineyards. The museum covers the history and production of the wine and offers tasting sessions that can be booked in advance. Wine bars and cellars throughout the town also pour Vernaccia alongside the other local denominations — San Gimignano Rosso, Rosato, and Vin Santo.

Getting There from Emilia-Romagna

There is no direct train to San Gimignano. The most practical route from Bologna is to take a train to Poggibonsi-Colle Val d’Elsa station (change at Florence or direct via slower regional services), then the bus from Poggibonsi to San Gimignano — around 25 minutes. Journey time from Bologna is approximately 2–2.5 hours. San Gimignano also works as a day trip from Pisa or Siena by car or bus via Poggibonsi.

The town is popular and crowded by midday in summer. Arriving early — or visiting in spring or autumn — makes a significant difference to the experience.