Christmas decorations
San Gimignano is a small walled medieval hilltop town in Tuscany Italy about a 35 minute drive northwest of Siena or southwest of Florence It is mainly famous for its medieval architecture especially its towers which can be seen several miles outside the town The town is also known for the white wine grown in the area Vernaccia di San Gimignano San Gimignano was founded as a small village in the 3rd century BC by the Etruscans The city s documented history begins in the 10th century AD when it took the name of the bishop Saint Geminianus who had defended it from Attila s Huns In medieval and Renaissance times it was a stopping point for pilgrims on their way to Rome and the Vatican as it sits on the medieval via Francigena The city s development was also boosted by the trade of agriculture products from the fertile neighbouring hills In 1199 during the period of its highest splendour the city made itself independent from the bishops of Volterra Divisions between Guelph and Ghibellines parties troubled the inner life of the commune which still managed to embellish itself with artworks and architectures On May 8 1300 San Gimignano hosted Dante Alighieri in his role of ambassador of the Guelph League in Tuscany The city flourished until 1348 when the plague Black Death that hit all Europe compelled it to submit to Florence San Gimignano became a secondary centre until the 19th century when its status of touristic and artistic resort began to be recognized source Wikipedia org
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Photo credit: © Michele Molinari / Alamy / Afripics
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