San Gimignano is located about half an hour north of Siena. It's a typical medieval walled town, so parking is outside the walls. Because the city center is so confined behind these walls, it feels very authentic. Maybe even a bit too much, as I wrote "museum city" in my notes for today. A number of churchgoers and a handful of tourists were the only people around.

Most of the towers are located around the two main squares. They really look like skyscrapers, but almost without any windows!

I usually don't climb towers anymore, but this city is all about these things so I felt I had to. For a 5 EUR entrance fee, you're allowed to climb the 150 or so stairs to the top of the Torre Grossa. Fortunately, the stairs have all been refurbished to 21st century standards: they are wide and strong enough to receive hordes of tourists. At the top, you can walk around in the open air and enjoy a 360-degree view of San Gimignano and the surrounding Elsa Valley.

At the bottom of the Torre Grossa lies the Palazzo Communale. Here's where you find the city's other trademark: in situ works of medieval art (paintings and frescoes). Don't forget to take a look at the outer courtyard, which has pretty frescoes too.