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- Destinations
- Europe
- Italy
- San Gimignano
San Gimignano
The towers of this medieval village peer wilfully onto the
stretch of cypress and olive trees below. San Gimignano has been
dubbed 'medieval Manhattan', however the skyline of towers numbers
only 14 of the original 72. Built as status symbols and defensive
outposts the towers played a significant role in the internecine
feuds that eventually led to the town's downfall.
Prior to its eventual decline into a sleepy backwater, San
Gimignano prospered through its position along the main pilgrim
route from Northern Europe to Rome. Today however, it is better
known for its tourism, with wine production and rich artwork
attracting many people to San Gimignano on holiday.
The Piazza del Duomo is a good starting point from which to
explore the historical buildings of the town. In close proximity to
the square is the Collegiata church, dating to the 11th century and
adorned with frescoes including The Creation, by Bartolo di Fredi.
Via San Giovanni is a good area to navigate for local
merchandise.
Information & Facts
Language
The official language of Italy is Italian. English is
understood in the larger cities but not in the more remote parts of
the country.
Money
The Euro (EUR) is the official currency, which is divided into
100 cents. Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain
Euros through any bank, ATM or bureaux de change. ATMs are
widespread. Travellers cheques can be exchanged with ease in the
large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are
accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities.
Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than
casas de cambios.