Top of the World
Tuscany is a land of famous towers, and the precarious Leaning Tower of Pisa, built in white marble, is the most memorable of all. Yet the 14 towers of San Gimignano form one of the most distinctive skylines in the world, though they happen to stand quite straight. Some even refer to the town as the "New York of the Middle Ages". It's certainly not one of the most modern skylines, given that by the 14th century this wonderful town already had some 72 towers. They were mostly built in the preceding centuries, when trade in zafferano (the famous gold of San Gimignano) and a profitable money-lending business helped residents pile up the cash. Then came a dark period with the plague in 1348, submission to Florence and a decline lasting 400 years, before in the 19th century San Gimignano recovered to become one of the global capitals of tourism, effortlessly earning the title of World Heritage Site from UNESCO. In fact, it was precisely the lack of further building that enabled the town to remain exactly how it was in the Middle Ages. The Italian Touring Club has also awarded it the Orange Flag, a badge of quality for the best small towns and villages in the Italian hinterland. The town is located in a superb, sheltered position on a small hill overlooking the valley. The historic center is vaguely disorientating, with so many towers that it's easy to lose your bearings. The best thing to do is to start your visit by locating the Piazza della Cisterna, then you will already be close to the Piazza del Duomo.
