Peapix

  • Bing Gallery
  • Extension
Peapix
Bing Gallery
Extension
  • United Kingdom
    All
    Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil

Bing Gallery

Australia Canada China Germany France India Japan Spain United Kingdom United States Italy Brazil
  1. Bing Gallery
  2. United Kingdom
  3. 2024
  4. August 04
  5. San Gimignano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy
arrow_back_ios arrow_forward_ios San Gimignano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy

August 04, 2024

San Gimignano, Siena, Tuscany, Italy

© MNStudio/Shutterstoc

A medieval Manhattan. San Gimignano, Siena, Italy

These medieval towers stand tall over San Gimignano, a small town near Siena in north central Italy. In the Middle Ages, a town grew up around a church dedicated to Saint Geminianus—San Gimignano in Italian. As well as being a popular stop for pilgrims on their way to Rome, the town prospered thanks to its trade in local Vernaccia wine and in saffron, which is grown in the nearby hills. However, when the Black Death struck in 1348, half the population was lost, slowing the town's development and preserving its medieval character to this day.

San Gimignano's most recognisable feature is its skyline, made up of 14 towers. These impressive structures were the result of a rivalry between two families, each competing to build the tallest tower-house. By the end of the medieval period, there were 72 towers in the town, although because of wars, other catastrophes and building projects, many were lost. Today, the tallest tower still standing is the Torre Grossa—'big tower' in Italian. Built in 1310, it stands at an incredible 54 metres. It's no wonder that the town is sometimes called the Manhattan of the Middle Ages.

mountain sky landscape cloud outdoor building nature tree overlooking castle hillside highland

Related Images

Jotunheimen National Park in NorwayJotunheimen National Park in Norway
Mount Hamilton, San Francisco Bay Area, California, United StatesMount Hamilton, San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States
Big Ben and Parliament, Palace of Westminster, London, EnglandBig Ben and Parliament, Palace of Westminster, London, England
Torres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, ChileTorres del Paine National Park, Patagonia, Chile
Yoho National Park, British Columbia, CanadaYoho National Park, British Columbia, Canada
Donkeys in a valley near Rhyolite, Nevada, United StatesDonkeys in a valley near Rhyolite, Nevada, United States
Dunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern IrelandDunluce Castle, County Antrim, Northern Ireland
Beach huts in Brighton and Hove, EnglandBeach huts in Brighton and Hove, England

Today on Bing

Tintern Abbey, Wales

Tintern Abbey, Wales

Aug 04, 2023
Farmers collecting the water lilies in the Satla marshland near Bagdha, Barishal, Bangladesh

Farmers collecting the water lilies in the Satla marshland near Bagdha, Barishal, Bangladesh

Aug 04, 2022
Clouded leopard

Clouded leopard

Aug 04, 2021
White-tailed doe and fawn in Wisconsin, USA

White-tailed doe and fawn in Wisconsin, USA

Aug 04, 2020
Swift fox pups in Grasslands National Park near Val Marie in Saskatchewan, Canada

Swift fox pups in Grasslands National Park near Val Marie in Saskatchewan, Canada

Aug 04, 2019

Related Tags

sky outdoor water cloud landscape mountain nature hillside lush building lake clouds grass hill overlooking distance tree plant highland city
Share photo
Share
Pin
Tweet
Line
  • © 2025 Peapix.com
  • API
  • App
  • Privacy
The images are provided for wallpaper use only.