The Best Things to Do in San Gimignano, Italy

The namesake of this Medieval square is the Duomo, or Cathedral, of San Gimignano, commanding your attention from its elevated position at the top of an imposing staircase. The other buildings of note here are Torri Gemelle dei Salvucci and the Palazzo Nuovo del Podestà. You can’t miss the Torre Grossa, the tallest tower in town, looming 54m (177ft) above, a symbol of the town’s wealth and power since the Middle Ages.

Famed for its murals, frescoes and paintings of the Old and New Testaments, the Unesco World Heritage site of Duomo di San Gimignano (also known as Collegiata di Santa Maria Assunta) was a major draw to pilgrims on the Via Francigena. Enter through one of the two front doors on Piazza del Duomo, and enjoy exceptional works by the likes of Taddeo di Bartolo, Domenico Ghirlandaio and Lippo Memmi.

Standing on the south side of the Piazza del Duomo is the Palazzo Comunale (Town Hall), which was once the residence of the town council. The building remains one of the most important in the town, as it houses the remarkable Sala di Dante, which is ornately decorated with courtly frescoes, and the Picture Gallery with works dating back to the 13th century. From here, you can also climb up the Torre Grossa for an amazing view over the town and the whole Valdelsa region, as far as the Apuan Alps.

This contemporary gallery, housed inside a former cinema, was opened in 1990 by Mario Cristiani, Lorenzo Fiaschi and Maurizio Rigillo, bringing the very best of the modern art world to this small hilltop town in Tuscany. The idea was to continue the ancient artistic legacy of the town through to the modern day. To that end, this delightful gallery has more than triumphed. 30 years later, and the gallerists have now opened in Paris, Les Moulins, Beijing, Havana, Rome and Sao Paulo.

Riding horseback through the vineyards of Tenuta Torciano on a golden afternoon has got to be one of the best ways to experience the Chianti Valley. This is just one of the many activities on offer at this beautiful vineyard. Expect exceptional service and the finest of wines at this family-run business. If you don’t fancy truffle hunting, pasta-making or grape-harvesting, you can simply relax with an excellent meal and a glass of fine wine amid the vines.

What finer way to spend a sunny afternoon in Tuscany than checking out instruments of torture and death? A curious mixture of the London Dungeons and Amnesty International, the museum more than delivers on the grisly front while being an ardent advocate of human rights. For the macabre-minded, you can enjoy classic devices such as the iron maiden and the rack, alongside grotesque pieces of lesser-known torture tackle, such as the gruesome heretic’s fork and women’s only spanish spiders. We suggest you delay lunch until after your visit.

Flavour sensations are what Sergio, the Master of Gelato at Gelateria Dondoli, is all about. Sure, you can find all the classics, such as stracciatella and pistachio, but why not try one of his innovative specialities? The Santa Fina Cream is a favourite (vanilla, saffron and pine nuts). Football fans should sample the Curva Fiesole, dedicated to ACF Fiorentina, a combination of sheep’s milk ricotta and bilberries, to represent his favourite football team’s distinctive purple shirts. Drop a pin at Piazza della Cisterna, because this is one treat you won’t want to miss.

In 1300CE, San Gimignano was at the height of its wealth and power. 72 towers proudly studded the sky above the walled city, and retractable ladders offered the only way into this impregnable fortress. This intricately recreated 1:100 scale model of the town was the brainchild of brothers Michelangelo and Raffaello Rubino. Over a tonne of clay and 20,000 working hours by a team of ceramic artists made their dream a reality. This remarkable exhibit-cum-artwork gives a unique glimpse into life in San Gimignano over 700 years ago.

This unassuming ceramics workshop, tucked around the back of the Piazza del Duomo, has been run by the husband-and-wife team Franco Balducci and Esther Vogeli for over 30 years. Drop by to watch master ceramicist Balducci at work on the potter’s wheel, while Esther skilfully recreates Tuscan landscapes with bas-relief techniques. Whether you choose sculptural artwork or a charming little clay animal, a piece from Balducci Ceramica is a joy forever.

Located just south of the Church of Saint Augustine, this local inn delivers exactly what you need for lunch – a typical rustic Tuscan ragu, a super-thin margherita or a plate of pesto pasta with shaved parmesan cheese, all washed down with a glass (or two) of good local wine. If it’s too hot at the outside tables in the midday sun, there’s something quite special about the cosy museum-esque interior.