Another amazing day! The 10.06 bus should have picked us up at the campsite gate, but it didn't appear, so along with a dozen or so other people, we stood in the blazing sun till the 10.37 arrived. We were soon in San Gimignano ("city of beautiful towers") and able to cool off in the shade of the tall buildings walking through the back streets. The towers date from the 13C and 14 of the original 76 have survived. They were built to serve both as private fortresses and symbols of their owners' wealth.
We climbed just one of the towers which surprisingly, is now a holiday apartment for hire. But when it isn't in use it's open to the public - Torre Salvucci Maggiore. There are now 11 (very small) floors, from a kitchen with table and chairs, up iron spiral staircases (160 steps in total) via bedrooms, bathroom, library and near the top, another kitchen and toilet before you get to the open air terrace with amazing views.
Lunch in a cool restaurant gave us energy then to explore the beautiful buildings and the cathedral with its huge frescos.
The shops are really lovely too, but we were just looking ....
No comments:
Post a Comment