Listen to “263. Secrets of San Gimignano: Tuscany’s Medieval Manhattan” on Spreaker.
follow us
Have you ever wondered what makes San Gimignano the enchanting jewel of Tuscany? From its breathtaking medieval charm to its unique festivals and hidden gems, this town is simply irresistible. Discover why you should go beyond the typical tourist spots and experience San Gimignano as more than just a day trip.
Summary
We welcome back seasoned Tuscan tour guide, Annarita Ferranti, who shares her insider tips on exploring the rich history and artisans of the medieval, hilltop town of San Gimignano beyond the famous tourist spots.
What you’ll learn in this episode
- Anna has been a tour guide in Tuscany for many years and utilises her background and studies in humanities and the relationship to Renaissance art
- San Gimignano is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, full of history and charm. This along with its proximity makes it a popular day trip from Florence. However, you will be rewarded by spending more time there and exploring further
- It is known as the Medieval Manhattan due to its towers which can be seen far and wide
- Vernaccia di San Gimignano is a famous DOCG and a must-try when visiting
- There are many artisanal traditions in the city and you will find many of these in the less frequented tourist areas
- You can find amazing examples of Renaissance art in local churches with artists like Benozzo Gozzoli, known for his work with the Medici in Florence. The Galleria Continua, meanwhile, is fantastic for contemporary art enthusiasts
- The views from the edges of the city are specatcular and particularly at sunset, when the majority of the day trippers will have left. Enjoying dinner in the city during the quieter evening time is a great choice
- Festivals include Fiera delle Messi in June celebrating agriculture, the Nottilucente Light Festival in July and SanGin, a gin festival in September
- San Gimignano is home to the famous gelato shop Gelateria Dondoli – try their La Crema di Santa Fina flavor
- To make the most of San Gimignano Anna recommends visiting early morning or in the evening, longer stays – day tripping to local wineries in the busy daytime and exploring beyond the common tourist paths
Timeline Overview
- 05:13 The allure of the atmospheric walled city known as Medieval Manhattan
- 07:46 San Gimignano’s lesser-known artisan treasures
- 10:53 Renaissance art in San Gimignano
- 13:58 San Gimignano’s sunset views
- 18:19 Seasonal, local festivals
- 23:14 Gelato choices in San Gimignano
- 26:23 Italy’s cultural magic – binding local connections
About our guest – Annarita Ferranti
Siena tour guide Annarita Ferranti was born in Tolentino, a little town in the Marche region of central Italy. She moved to Siena to study Classical Humanities (Greek and Latin literature). She then went on to get her PHD outside of Italy, in the UK and Granada, Spain, with her thesis on female representation in Classical literature and Renaissance art.
In 2013 she began teaching alongside which she studied to become a sommelier and tour leader, leading tours of Tuscany’s wine regions and working for a few years for a famous Tuscan winery. She then went on to qualify as an official tour guide, first with a focus on Florence, and then on Siena. After welcoming her beautiful baby girl Flora, now 3, she began to work as a tour guide in Siena and the surrounds as well as working alongside her husband Neri, at Tenuta di Mensanello in Colle di Val d’Elsa, a stunning agriturismo in the Chianti hills. There they produce wine and extra virgin olive oil and host people at their restaurant and the agriturismo for tours, weddings and vacation stays.
Contact Annarita here
Follow Tenuta di Mensanello here
Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned
Places
- Colle Val d’Elsa – where Annarita lives in Tuscany. Located between Siena and Florence
- Via Francigene – an ancient pilgrimage route from Canterbury, England, through France and Switzerland, to Rome and then on to Apulia
- Porta San Giovanni – a gate to access San Gimignano, near the bus station
- Piazza della Cisterna – square in San Gimignano connected to Piazza del Duomo
- Via San Matteo – area in San Gimignano to find great artisan shops
- Sant’Agostino – church that is home to the fresco paintings from Benozzo Gozzoli
- Galleria Continua – contemporary art gallery San Gimignano
- Spezieria di santa Fina – museum in a former hospital
- Porta San Jacopo – another gate on the edges of the city
- Gambassi (Terme) – from where you get a great view of San Gimignano. Named after the Gambassi Family; a part of the Florentine Nobility that has resided in the area since the 1350s
- Certaldo – town in Tuscany home to the Cipolla onion
- La Rocca Di Montestaffoli – 14th-century fortress in San Gimignano
Food / Drink
- Vernaccia di San Gimignano – famous white wine from San Gimignano
Words / Concepts
- Benozzo Gozzoli – Rennaisance painter from Florence
- Ferie delle Messi – festival in the summer in San Gimignano
- Nottilucente – a night in July dedicated to lights
- Festival of SanGin – festival held at La Rocca Di Montestaffoli to celebrate the gin production
- Gelateria Dondoli – famous gelato makers (recommend the flavor La Crema di Santa Fina)
Related content on Untold Italy
Podcasts
- Ep 245 – Siena – Medieval Wonders, the Famous Palio, and Sweet Treats
- Ep 242 – Tastes of Tuscany in Fall
- Ep 213 – Wines of Southern Tuscany
- Ep 209 – Delicious winter dishes from Tuscany
- Ep 199 – Perfect Pienza – Hilltop town of dreams in Tuscany’s Val d’Orcia
- Ep 176 – A week in Tuscany with Untold Italy
- Ep 158 – Slow travel experiences in Tuscany
- Ep 139 – Secret towns under the Tuscan sun
- Ep 124 – Enchanting Arezzo – Tuscan town of your dreams
- Ep 113 – Spring dishes from Tuscany
- Ep 089 – Harvest in Tuscany
- Ep 079 – Maremma – Exploring Tuscany’s Undiscovered Coast
- Ep 060 – Garfagnana – My Tuscany with Buzz Mccarthy
- Ep 057 – Tuscany’s Chianti region
Articles
- Tuscany Travel Guide
- Best towns in Tuscany,
- Tuscany itinerary ideas
- Where to stay in Tuscany
- Best Agriturismo Tuscany
- Reasons to visit Southern Tuscany and the Val d’Orcia
Plan your Italian adventures with Untold Italy
If you’re enjoying the podcast and are excited about going to Italy but are overwhelmed by all the options, why not hire our Italy travel experts to help you build your dream trip. Our Italy Trip Planning services will get you from dreaming to booking the trip that suits you and your travel companions best – whether it’s a week in Tuscany, visiting the iconic Italian cities or an off-the-beaten-path adventure in Sicily > learn more.
THE BEST!
If you want a curated Italian adventure, this is your solution. We hired Tyla and the Untold Italy crew to put together our itinerary through Tuscany. We had the vacation of a lifetime! – Jamey Ice (Google) – read more reviews.
Untold Italy Tours
Founded in 2022, our small group tour company takes curious travelers on multi-day adventures to Italy’s lesser-known regions and to secret spots in places that are better known. Departing in Spring and Fall/Autumn, each trip focuses on food and wine, local traditions and uncovering the Italy you’ve always dreamed of > learn more.
Planning a trip to Italy?
We love travel in Italy and sharing our knowledge. Read our popular Italy trip planning guide or join our FREE Italy Travel Planning Community. Our 150,000+ members are happy to answer questions about your itinerary, how to get from place to place, the best places to stay and fun things to do.
Sign up for our news and podcast updates where we share mini guides, tips, exclusive deals and more and we'll send you our Italy Trip Planning Checklist to say grazie! >> click here to subscribe