The History of San Gimignano

San Gimignano was founded around the 3rd century BC as a small Etruscan village, situated on a hill dominating the upper Val d'Elsa.

But the real development of the town and its urban fabric began around the 10th century, the period when it was named after the beatified Bishop of Modena (St Geminianus) who was said to have protected the town from occupation by Attila. During the middle ages San Gimignano underwent formidable development through trade in excellent agricultural produce (Saffron and Vernaccia), favoured by the Via Francigena that passed through it from north to south and by the many "salt transport roads". In 1199, at the height of its economic splendour, it gained independence from the Bishops of Volterra to whom it had been subject and became to all effects a Municipality.

In this period San Gimignano was embellished with works of art and stupendous architecture. In 1300 the Municipality had the honour of playing host to the poet Dante Alighieri in his role of ambassador of the Guelph League in Tuscany. The town's splendour would last until 1348 when, as a result of the black death which infested all of Europe, and the subsequent famines, it had to succumb to Florence. San Gimignano underwent a period of decadence and marginality before returning to the forefront of world attention in the 19th century.