San Gimignano
San Gimignano | |
|---|---|
| Comune di San Gimignano | |
Aerial view of the town | |
Location of San Gimignano | |
| Coordinates: 43°28′05″N 11°02′31″E / 43.468°N 11.042°E | |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Tuscany |
| Province | Siena (SI) |
| Frazioni | Badia a Elmi, Castel San Gimignano, Pancole, San Donato, Santa Lucia, Ulignano |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Andrea Marrucci (PD) |
| Area | |
• Total | 138 km2 (53 sq mi) |
| Elevation | 324 m (1,063 ft) |
| Population (31 December 2016) | |
• Total | 7,780 |
| • Density | 56/km2 (150/sq mi) |
| Demonym | Sangimignanesi |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC+2 (CEST) |
| Postal code | 53037 |
| Dialing code | 0577 |
| Patron saint | St. Geminianus, Saint Fina |
| Saint day | 31 January, 12 March |
| Website | Official website |
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San Gimignano (Italian pronunciation: [san dʒimiɲˈɲaːno]; named after St. Geminianus) is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy. Known as the Town of Five Towers, San Gimignano is famous for its medieval architecture, unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses, which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls, form "an unforgettable skyline". Within the walls, the well-preserved buildings include notable examples of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture, with outstanding examples of secular buildings as well as churches. The Palazzo Comunale, the Collegiata and Church of Sant' Agostino contain frescos, including cycles dating from the 14th and 15th centuries. The "Historic Centre of San Gimignano" is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The town also is known for saffron, the dry aged and saffron infused Golden Ham, pecorino cheese and its white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, produced from the ancient variety of Vernaccia grape grown on the sandstone hillsides of the area.