Historic towers in San Gimignano

San Gimignano’s UNESCO-listed skyline, once featuring 72 towers, now preserves 14 medieval stone structures dating from the 13th and 14th centuries. These landmarks served as defensive fortifications and status symbols for rival merchant families. This collection includes the 54-meter Torre Grossa, the twin Salvucci towers, and various historic tower houses that define the architecture of Piazza della Cisterna and Piazza del Duomo.

San Gimignano Towers — Map

A

Historic centre of San Gimignano

San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy.

sailko / CC BY 2.5

B

Torre Grossa

Torre Grossa is the tallest tower in San Gimignano, standing at 54 m high.

Deror avi / CC BY-SA 3.0

C

Tower of Devil

A 13th-century tower in Piazza della Cisterna known for its dark stone facade and a local legend involving supernatural growth.

sailko / CC BY 2.5

D

Torre dei Becci

Thirteenth-century tower built by the Becci merchant family, located adjacent to the ancient southern gateway of the town.

Tetraktys / CC BY-SA 3.0

E

Collegiate Church of San Gimignano

The Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta or Duomo di San Gimignano is a Roman Catholic collegiate church and minor basilica in San Gimignano,…

Alexander Nicholls / CC-BY-SA

F

Torre dei Campatelli

This 12th-century tower house is now a museum managed by FAI, showcasing the history of the town and 19th-century domestic life.

TISSERAND MARIE H / CC-BY-SA

G

Torre Chigi

Built in 1280, this tower in Piazza del Duomo features a defensive architectural design with a high, narrow entrance on the first floor.

H

Torri dei Salvucci

Twin towers belonging to the Ghibelline Salvucci family, originally shortened in the 13th century to comply with municipal height regulations.

I

Torri dei Salvucci

The second of the twin Salvucci towers, which together formed a powerful architectural statement in Piazza delle Erbe.

MarkusMark / Public domain

J

Cugnanesi Tower

You would never guess that this historical tower, which dates back to the 13th century, has two functions.

gaspa / CC BY 2.0

K

Torri degli Ardinghelli

These 13th-century twin towers in Piazza della Cisterna were built by the Guelph Ardinghelli family as a rival to the Ghibelline Salvucci towers.

L

Campanile

A traditional bell tower located south of the main historic center.

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San Gimignano's Timeless Towers and Medieval Heart Sacred Sites of Significance Ancient Ruins and Historical Sites