San Gimignano is a historic city located in the region of Tuscany, Italy. Known for its impressive urban landscape and iconic medieval towers, the history of San Gimignano is rich and fascinating.The city was founded as a small Etruscan village in the 3rd century BC. However, its true heyday began during the Middle Ages, when it became a strong commune in the 11th and 12th centuries. This period saw the boom of its economy, mainly driven by the production of saffron and its strategic location on the pilgrimage route Via Francigena, which connected Rome to France.San Gimignano is renowned for its towers, which were originally 72 in number, though today only 14 remain. These towers were symbols of power and wealth for the local aristocratic families. During the 13th and 14th centuries, the city reached its peak, but later declined due to internal conflicts and the Black Death that ravaged Europe.In the 14th century, San Gimignano submitted to the rule of Florence, thus losing part of its autonomy. Despite historical challenges, the city has preserved much of its medieval architecture, earning it recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1990.Today, San Gimignano is a popular tourist destination, known not only for its towers and historical heritage, but also for its high-quality wines, especially the Vernaccia di San Gimignano, one of Italy's most prestigious white wines.
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