San Gimignano: The Medieval Manhattan

San Gimignano is a small walled city in Tuscany that looks like it hasn’t changed since the Middle Ages. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage site and boasts 14 towers that date back to the 13th century. But don’t let its old-world charm fool you – San Gimignano was once the medieval Manhattan.

Back in the day, San Gimignano was the city to be in if you were wealthy and wanted to show it off. And what better way to show off your wealth than by building a tall, phallic tower? The more towers you had, the wealthier and more powerful you were. It was like a medieval competition to see who had the biggest, tallest, and most impressive tower.

But let’s be honest, these towers were not just a symbol of wealth and power. They were also a way for these medieval people to compensate for their, erm, small swords. I mean, have you seen those towers?

It’s also worth noting that these towers were not just for show. They served a practical purpose as well – as lookout towers and defensive structures. In fact, San Gimignano was so well fortified that it was almost impossible to conquer. That is until the 14th century when the Black Death swept through and decimated the population. Talk about being brought down by a tiny microbe.

Nowadays, San Gimignano is a popular tourist destination. But it’s not just the towers that draw in the crowds. This little city is also famous for its world-class gelato. And let me tell you, there’s nothing quite like strolling through the medieval streets, tower-gazing, and enjoying a big scoop of creamy gelato.

At the end of the day, San Gimignano may have lost its status as the medieval Manhattan, but it still holds a special place in our hearts – and our stomachs.