SAN GIMIGNANO EXCURSION

San Gimignano dominates the Elsa Valley with its 72 towers. Once the seat of a small Etruscan village (200-300 BC), it began its life as a town in the 10th century. Thanks to the old pilgrim and trade route Via Francigena, San Gimignano developed and grew in wealth during the Middle Ages. This prosperity led to flourishing of works of art found in the churches and monasteries.

Consecrated in 1148, the Duomo or Collegiate Church is adorned with valuable Sienese School frescoes: The Old and the New Testament by Bartolo di Fredi; The Last Judgement, by Taddeo di Bartolo; Stories of St. Fina, by Ghirlandaio; St. Sebastiano, Benozzo Gozzoli. The frescoes – as well as statues and sculptures -- make the Collegiate Church of San Gimignano a very prestigious museum.

The People’s Palace courtyard and Dante’s Hall hosts The Maestà, by Lippo Memmi. The Civic Museum and the Picture Gallery host works by Filippino Lippi, Pinturicchio, Benozzo Gozzoli, and others.
 
The Church of St. Agostino hosts the remains of frescoes dating from the 14th century, as well as tablets and canvases by different artists.

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