How the Medieval Marvel of San Gimignano Italy Survived

How the Medieval Marvel of San Gimignano Italy Survived
0:00 Etruscans and foundation myth
1:23 Saint Germinianus of Modena
2:00 Via Francigena and wealth
2:40 Independence and Tension
3:25 Saint Fina and its Golden Era
4:20 Class, Towers and Dante
4:50 Black death
5:25 Culture
6:08 Decline and rebirth
6:58 World War 2
7:20 Tourism
8:02 Cultural references
The history of San Gimignano, Italy, is as rich and captivating as its medieval towers that dominate the skyline.
San Gimignano's origins trace back to Etruscan times, but it truly flourished during the Middle Ages as a vital stop along the pilgrimage route to Rome, known as the Via Francigena.
During the 10th and 11th centuries, San Gimignano became an independent commune, experiencing a period of economic growth thanks to agriculture, particularly saffron and wine production, as well as trade along the Via Francigena.
The most iconic feature of San Gimignano is its towers, which were built by wealthy families as symbols of their power and prosperity. At its peak in the 14th century, there were over 70 towers, but today only 14 remain, still standing tall against the Tuscan skyline.
San Gimignano was not only a center of commerce but also a hub of art and culture during the Renaissance. Artists like Benozzo Gozzoli adorned the town's churches and palaces with magnificent frescoes, contributing to its artistic legacy.
The town's fortunes declined in the late Middle Ages due to the Black Death and shifts in trade routes. San Gimignano became a quiet provincial town, preserving its medieval character amidst changing times.
In the 19th century, San Gimignano experienced a revival of interest thanks to its picturesque beauty, attracting artists, writers, and travelers. Today, it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a popular destination for tourists seeking to immerse themselves in its medieval charm and rich history.
Please like, share and subscribe to learn more about La Bella Italia! :-)
Support us on Patreon! / sergioaperla

[@madaboutsicily]

Wikipedia Google Maps Italy Flag - Pixabay Zapsplat Like Subscribe Roy Buri from Pixabay Di Jacques Carabain - www.hampel-auctions.com/, Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=15709408 www.sangimignano.com/en/useful-information/history-of-san-gimignano/#:~:text=The%20name%20of%20San%20Gimignano,the%20town%20from%20Totila's%20threat. www.sangimignanoexperience.it/en/2023/03/23/what-movies-have-been-filmed-in-san-gimignano/ By NormanEinstein - Based on a map from The National Geographic Magazine Vol.173 No.6 June 1988., CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=241378 By by Albert Kretschmer, painters and costumer to the Royal Court Theatre, Berin, and Dr. Carl Rohrbach. - Costumes of All Nations (1882), Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=17037578 By Cesare Maccari - Instagram - instagram.com/p/CqyHFMWqTg5/ (combined 2 parts), Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=132651272 By Simone Martini (c.1284-1344) - Simone Martini, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=313711 By Ede Heinrich - Pintér AukciósházInfoPic, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=18411148 By Paulusburg - Own work con los datos proporcionados por Cristina Menghini [1]; Switzerland Mobility [2] y AEVF [3], CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=45235532 By Fotoscot - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=83468713 By tiseb - Flickr, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=862570 By Pompeo Randi (1827 - 1880) - Transferred from it.wikipedia - Original uploader was Perkele at Italian Wikipedia - 30 April 2011 (original upload date), Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48160016 By Benozzo Gozzoli - www.abcgallery.com/G/gozzoli/gozzoli116.html, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16335158 Di Giovanni Villani - www.worldofdante.org/media/images/more/full/Montaperti.jpg, Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6286696 By Pierart dou Tielt (fl. 1340-1360) - balat.kikirpa.be/photo.php?path=X004175&objnr=20049662, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=64384803 Di Memmo di Filippuccio - Lindenau Museum, Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=28648286 Di Giorgio Vasari - www.flickr.com/photos/internetarchivebookimages/14597601100/Source book page: archive.org/stream/vitedepieccell001vasa/vitedepieccell001vasa#page/n576/mode/1up, Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=44246218 Di Lippo Memmi - www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/l/lorenzet/ambrogio/index.html, Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3090499 Di Taddeo di Bartolo - [1], Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3100169 Di Benozzo Gozzoli - AA.VV., Palazzo Medici Riccardi e la Cappella Benozzo Gozzoli, Biblioteca de "Lo Studiolo", Becocci/ Scala, Firenze 2000., Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=2997397 Di Domenico Ghirlandaio - Andreas Quermann, Ghirlandaio, serie dei Maestri dell'arte italiana, Könemann, Köln 1998., Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=46550065 Di Mongolo1984 - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=133937292 Di Giovanni Battista Cecchi - Vol 3: Serie degli uomini i più illustri nella pittura, scultura, e architettura: con i loro elogi, e ritratti incisi in rame cominciando dalla sua prima restaurazione fino ai tempi presenti ... by Pacini, Sante, 1735-ca. 1800; Pontormo, Jacopo da, 1494-1556; Cecchi, Giovanni Battista, 1748 or 9-ca. 1815; Cambiagi, Gaetano; Bastianelli, Luigi; Marzi, Domenico, 1769., Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=104906482 Di Domenico Ghirlandaio - Andreas Quermann, Ghirlandaio, serie dei Maestri dell'arte italiana, Könemann, Köln 1998., Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3102326 Di Nicola Quirico - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=137524448 Di Kasa Fue - Opera propria, CC BY-SA 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=111021893 Di MarkusMark - Opera propria, Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7263185 Di Vignaccia76 - Opera propria, CC BY 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7022948 Di Francesco Gasparetti from Senigallia, Italy - San Gimignano: Collegiata e Palazzo del Popolo, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10268829 Di gaspa - Flickr, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3097339 Di MarkusMark - Opera propria, Pubblico dominio, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7269541 Horses on Beach Pexels Videos By Ssolbergj - The vexillum of the Roman Empire was a red banner with the letters SPQR in Gold surrounded by a gold wreath hung on a military standard topped by a Roman eagle or an image of the goddess Victoria made of silver or bronze.[1][2][3][4], CC BY 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=4249122 Smoke CROX Pexels BattleStock Footage Free Video&PhotoDesignStudio Vineyard Kmeel Stock from Pixabay Coins NickyPe Pixabay By Kanchelskis - This vector image includes elements that have been taken or adapted from this file:, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=3825817 By See File history below for details. - Own work basata sul , colori daThis is a retouched picture, which means that it has been digitally altered from its original version. The original can be viewed here: Naval Jack of Italy.svg: ., Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6121869 By Own work - Own work, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59924866 Vatican Clker-Free-Vector-Images from Pixabay Vatican pexels-stefano-barbieri-5913395 By David Liuzzo, eagle by N3MO - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=10025741 By Giovanni Sercambi - Le Croniche di Giovanni Sercambi lucchese, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=12752823 Florence Simone Bergamasco pexels Candle pexels-mikhail-nilov-7675225 (1080p) Army Artur Szczubelek Pexels Sunglasses Taryn Elliott Pexels By Deror avi - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=6772689 Di Fiat 500e - Opera propria, CC BY 4.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=140913578 By Giuseppe Bertini - Atlante dell'arte italiana.it (direct link), Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=32674322 By Unknown author - www.britannica.com/biography/E-M-Forster, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=144958196 By Photographer: Hans Peters (ANEFO) - Ga het na (Nationaal Archief NL) 925-1686, CC0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=35966994 By Scott Brenner - This file has been extracted from another file, CC BY 2.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7608472 By Caroline Bonarde Ucci, CC BY 3.0, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=97421346 By Gotfryd, Bernard, photographer - www.loc.gov/pictures/item/2020734201/, Public Domain, commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=121353538