Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Sala di Dante (also known as the Sala del Consiglio) is home to Lippo Memmi's
early-14th-century
Maestà
, which portrays the enthroned Virgin and Child surrounded by
angels, saints and local dignitaries - the kneeling noble in red-and-black stripes was the
podestà
(chief magistrate) of the time. Other frescoes in the room portray jousts, hunting
scenes, castles and other medieval goings-on.
On the floor above the Sala di Dante is the small but charming
pinacoteca
. Highlights
of its collection are two large
Annunciation
panels (1482) by Filippino Lippi,
Madonna of
Humility Worshipped by Two Saints
(1466) and
Madonna and Child with Saints
(1466) by
Benozzo Gozzoli and an altarpiece by Taddeo di Bartolo (1401) illustrating the life of St
Gimignano.
In the
Camera del Podestà
, at the top of the stairs, is a meticulously restored cycle of
frescos by Memmo di Filippuccio illustrating a moral history - the rewards of marriage
are shown in the scenes of the husband and wife naked in the bath and in bed.
While here, be sure to climb the 154 steps of the
palazzo
's
Torre Grossa
for a spectacu-
lar view over the town and surrounding countryside.
Chiesa di Sant'Agostino
CHURCH
(Piazza Sant'Agostino; 9am-noon & 3-7pm mid-Mar-Oct, to 6pm Nov-Dec, 4-6pm Mon, 10am-noon &
3-6pm Tue-Sun Jan-mid-Mar)
This late-13th-century church at the northern end of town is best
known for Benozzo Gozzoli's charming fresco cycle illustrating the life of St Augustine.
You'll find it behind the altar and will need €0.50 to illuminate it.
Gozzoli also painted the highly unusual fresco of San Sebastian on the north wall,
which shows the fully clothed saint protecting the citizens of San Gimignano, helped by a
bare-breasted Virgin Mary and semi-robed Jesus (it alludes to the saint's supposed inter-
vention to protect citizens during the 1464 plague).
Museo del Vino
MUSEUM, WINE TASTING
(Wine Museum; museodelvino@sangimignano.com; Parco della Rocca; 11.30am-6.30pm Apr-Oct)
This operation housed in an unmarked gallery next to the
rocca
(fortress) celeb-
rates Vernaccia, San Gimignano's famous white wine. It comprises a small exhibition on
the history of the varietal (Italian language only) and an
enoteca
where you can purchase a
glass of Vernaccia to enjoy on the terrace, which has a panoramic view.
