"When the archbishop Sigerico there passed between 990 and 994, San Gimignano (Sancte Gemiane, as he remembers) was a castle of the Church of Volterra. Via Francigena was certainly the foundation of the rapid development that led it to break free and run its own territorial district - more or less than the current common - between Florence and Siena. The city walls of San Gimignano built at the beginning of the thirteenth century were already substantial, but the strong mercantile expansion and population growth that accompanied it did rapidly increase the town, so that, in the second half of the same century, it was necessary to build a new round of walls. Those included not only the rests of the Tower and Montestaffoli, but also the populous villages of St. Giovanni and St. Matteo, which were formed right on the via Francigena. With the construction of the town hall (1288) the urban form was defined, which remains today as one of the most significant expressions of the Middle Ages, although it did not raise to the dignity Town, not having the necessary recognition of the episcopal see.
However, the economy of San Gimignano could not resist the international crisis. (...). Since the collapse of the economic and demographic San Gimignano never recovered and the stagnation of the following centuries fixed his medieval image over time, building up the fortune and fame of our times. (...).

On the way through the entire town of San Gimignano, between the two gates still existing and which took their names from the villages, as well as on the piazze of the Duomo (Collegiata and public buildings) and Cisterna which divide the city into two parts, overlook the majority of the most important religious and civic buildings, which reflect structural and decorative characters derived from the architectural culture of the major Tuscan cities. From Florence and Siena are also valuable works of art that adorn the churches of Sant 'Agostino, the Collegiata and the Town Hall, as well as those that are preserved in the Museum. To make unmistakable San Gimignano, however, are the towers of the XI - XII century, built by the families emerging, that here, more than elsewhere, have kept their original height. (...) "

From "The Via Francigena route from Castefiorentino to Siena" by A. Angeloni, Betti Editrice, created by the Integrated Project and Territorial Development of the Via Francigena in Val d'Elsa funded by the municipalities of Castelfiorentino, Montaione, Gambassi Terme, San Gimignano, Colle di Val d'Elsa and Monteriggioni and co-financed by the Region of Tuscany under the L 135/01 art. 5 c. 5 in the context of an interregional project "VIA FRANCIGENA- a new Italian tourism offer."

Website:www.comune.sangimignano.si.it