Located in the heart of Tuscany, the charming town of San Gimignano offers a journey back in time to its visitors. Against a backdrop of hills covered with olive groves and vineyards, the proud thirteen medieval towers stand out, a distinctive feature of this corner of Italy that makes its profile recognizable even from afar. The town boasts an ancient history that dates back to the Etruscan and then Roman period, when, according to legend, it was founded by the noble fugitive Gimignano who had managed to escape the capture of his enemies by entrusting his salvation to the city of Modena. San Gimignano is steeped in history, as well as the natural beauty of the surrounding region. It is nestled among the gentle rolling hills of Tuscany, halfway between Florence and Siena, immersed in a charming countryside rich in vineyards, olive groves, and cypress forests. The surrounding landscape offers a rich blend of colors throughout the year, changing with the seasons in an endless cycle of green, golden, and orange hues. What makes San Gimignano special, however, is its extraordinary preservation. In the Middle Ages, the city experienced a period of great prosperity and development thanks to its strategic position along the Via Francigena, the main road connecting the cities of northern Europe with Rome. It was during this period that the famous towers were erected, a tangible sign of the wealth and power of the local noble families. Of the original 72 towers, 13 remain today, but they are more than enough to stir the imagination and make us relive the time when San Gimignano was known as the Manhattan of the Middle Ages. The undisputed protagonist of the city is the Piazza della Cisterna, the pulsating heart of San Gimignano where markets and fairs were once held. Its name comes from the presence of an ancient underground rainwater cistern dating back to 1237, still visible today. The Cathedral, on the other hand, is a splendid example of Tuscan Romanesque style and houses precious frescoes by the most famous artists of the time. The town is also known for the production of Vernaccia, a dry white wine with a delicate and fragrant taste, the first Italian wine to receive the DOC designation in 1966. This wine has been linked to the history of San Gimignano since ancient times and represents one of the gastronomic attractions of the town. Although San Gimignano is a small town, it boasts a lively and varied cultural scene. It hosts numerous events and festivals throughout the year, such as festivals, theater performances, concerts, and art exhibitions. San Gimignano is not only a wonderful example of an intact medieval town, but also a place where the past and present coexist and blend in perfect harmony. The antiquity of its alleys, squares, and towers contrasts with the vitality of daily life, offering those who pass through even just for a day the feeling of being in a place out of time, suspended between history and the present. San Gimignano is a place where every corner tells a story, where every stone is a piece of history. A hidden treasure in the heart of Tuscany, a place to visit at least once in a lifetime to immerse oneself in a magical atmosphere and a past that continues to live on.
Certaldo, Colle di Val d'Elsa, Poggibonsi, San Gimignano, Volterra
No membership group specified.
No tourist vocation specified.
Known for its medieval charm, San Gimignano in Tuscany has a strong local productive fabric, characterized mainly by wine, food, tourism, and artisanal sectors. Among the most important entrepreneurial realities stand out the wineries, to which San Gimignano owes its worldwide fame. The area is renowned for the production of one of the most appreciated Italian white wines, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, the only Tuscan DOCG denomination for whites. Local wineries also produce other prestigious wines, including Chianti and Brunello, offering experts and enthusiasts a wide choice of quality labels. Wineries play a central role in the local economy, significantly contributing to the income and employment of the area. San Gimignano is also famous for its quality agriculture. Abundant and valuable is the production of extra virgin olive oil, typical vegetables, and honey, three products for which the municipality is widely appreciated. The breeding of Cinta Senese pigs for the production of high-quality cold cuts and the cultivation of saffron, once widespread and now recovering, further enrich the agri-food panorama. The tourism sector is another pillar of the local economy. Numerous agritourisms, hotels, and bed and breakfasts offer hospitality to those who decide to visit San Gimignano, ensuring high quality standards and a typically Tuscan welcome. Many of these accommodations are located in ancient farms and renovated villas, immersed in the splendid surrounding countryside, and constitute the ideal base for exploring the area and savoring its authentic flavors. One cannot speak of San Gimignano's businesses without mentioning local craftsmanship. For centuries, in fact, the municipality has hosted workshops and laboratories where ancient crafts and traditional techniques are passed down. Among the most representative products are ceramic artifacts, wood carvings, leather works, and lace. Furthermore, there has been a rediscovery of ancient artisanal techniques such as wrought iron processing, which is gaining considerable appreciation. Finally, in the entrepreneurial landscape of San Gimignano, there is a significant presence of small and medium-sized enterprises active in the service sector, particularly in commerce, insurance, finance, and information technology, representing a driving force for local growth and development. These activities, together with those already mentioned, make San Gimignano's economy pluralistic and constantly evolving, thanks to the dynamism and creativity of its entrepreneurs. The wide variety of economic activities in the municipality and the careful protection of its natural and cultural heritage make San Gimignano a unique place where tradition and innovation meet, enhancing the excellence of Made in Italy.
San Gimignano, with the ISTAT code 52028, is a municipality located in the heart of Tuscany, Italy, famous for its historical-cultural heritage and its scenic beauty. According to the data projected for 2023, it will have a population of 7,476 inhabitants, evenly divided between males (3,829) and females (3,647). In the demographic context, we note the presence of a small percentage of foreign population equal to 9.3%, with 363 males and 334 females. The incidence of this percentage on the total population reflects a heterogeneous and multicultural social context. The municipal territory covers an area of 138.57 square kilometers, predominantly characterized by hilly areas, as outlined by the code of the Agricultural Region 5202 "Hills of the Upper Val d'Elsa". Furthermore, the altitude of the center is 324 meters. This geographical context offers a range of opportunities for investments oriented towards quality agriculture, wine tourism, and eco-sustainable activities. The residential context of San Gimignano is distinguished by the presence of 4,950 housing units, of which 3,235 are occupied and 1,715 are unoccupied. These data indicate the presence of a significant real estate sector on which investors can focus their attention. The picture is further enriched by considering the accommodation sector of San Gimignano, which includes a total of 304 accommodation facilities divided between hotel facilities (20 facilities, 1301 beds) and non-hotel facilities (284 facilities). Among the types of non-hotel facilities, it is worth noting the presence of 174 rental accommodations managed as businesses and 103 agritourisms, indicating a significant offer for rural tourism. The analysis of the cultural and tourist offer shows the presence of 6 museums and similar institutions that attracted 171,457 visitors in 2020. This data confirms the importance of the cultural and tourist sector which, combined with the accommodation offer, can represent an investment opportunity of great interest. Accessibility to San Gimignano is guaranteed by a good infrastructure network. The average time to reach a railway station is 53 minutes, while access to the highway network and airports is on average 36 and 56 minutes respectively. In conclusion, San Gimignano represents a very interesting investment opportunity, offering a combination of cultural attractions, a strong territorial identity, a well-developed accommodation and tourist sector, and a diversified real estate context. The most promising sectors for investment include tourism, agriculture, and real estate. However, access times and the relative distance from major transport infrastructures should be considered for efficient logistical planning.
San Gimignano, a charming town nestled in the Tuscan hills, is a true medieval jewel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1990. Famous for its towers that soar above the surrounding landscape, it is also known as the "Manhattan of the Middle Ages." But it's not just the towers that dominate this enchanting town; San Gimignano offers much more to its visitors. A key element is undoubtedly its patron saint, San Geminiano, to whom the Cathedral of San Gimignano, one of the town's most beautiful churches, is also dedicated. Officially known as the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, it is a Romanesque church that houses a wide variety of frescoes from the Sienese school, including the famous Chapel of Santa Fina, a true gem of Gothic art. Numerous events and celebrations are held in San Gimignano throughout the year. Among the most famous is the "Ferie delle messi," a medieval festival held between late June and early July, during which ancient games and crafts are reenacted, while participants dress in period costumes. Another festive occasion is dedicated to San Geminiano, on January 31st, when various events are organized to honor the town's patron saint. The town is also home to four minor Romanesque churches, including the Church of Sant'Agostino, with its 14th-century cloister and frescoes by Gozzoli, and the Church of Santa Maria, which houses a 12th-century crypt. These churches, while less famous than the Collegiate Church, are also noteworthy for their beauty and because they represent outstanding examples of Tuscan Romanesque architecture. Among the most significant monuments is undoubtedly the Rocca di Montestaffoli, an ancient manor house perched on a hill overlooking the town, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding Tuscan hills. Also fascinating is a visit to the Fonte delle Fate, a public fountain dating back to the 12th century, which takes its name from the legend that fairies would come to bathe there at night. Anyone visiting San Gimignano cannot help but stroll along its main street, Via San Giovanni, which leads from Porta San Giovanni to Piazza della Cisterna, the hub of town life. The latter, in fact, takes its name from the large cistern that has provided water to the local community since 1287 and which still stands at the center of the square. San Gimignano is a small town rich in history, art, and beauty, where time seems to have stood still. A place where you can immerse yourself in the atmosphere of times gone by, among narrow streets, charming churches, medieval towers, and dreamy views. It is certainly an unforgettable experience for anyone who decides to visit.
