where everything comes from
It is an Italian municipality due to the characteristic medieval architecture of its historic center which has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO. The site of San Gimignano is one of the best examples in Europe of urban organization of the municipal age. In the Middle Ages the city was located on one of the routes of the Francigena route, marking the village also as a point of intersection with the road between Pisa and Siena. The first city walls date back to 998 and included the hill of Montestaffoli, where there already existed a fortress market site owned by the bishop of Volterra, and the hill of the Tower with the bishop's castle. San Gimignano is above all famous for the medieval towers that still stand out over its panorama. Of the 72 towers and tower-houses existing in the golden age of the Municipality, twenty-five remained in 1580 and today fourteen remain. City famous throughout the world for Vernaccia. The beginning of its production dates back to around 1200. It is clear that at the end of the 13th century Vernaccia was already a prestigious wine, present on the best tables of the nobles of the time. The production area of this fine wine is very limited, characteristic of its exclusivity, and coincides with the territory of the Municipality.