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San Gimignano ((:san dʒimiɲˈɲaːno)) is a small walled medieval hill town in the province of Siena, Tuscany, north-central Italy. Known as ''the Town of Fine Towers'', San Gimignano is famous for its medieval architecture, unique in the preservation of about a dozen of its tower houses,〔The exact number is not a matter of agreement because many towers have been levelled to the same height as adjacent buildings. The number is given as "a dozen" (Strasser), 13 (Vantaggi) and 14 (UNESCO).〕 which, with its hilltop setting and encircling walls form "an unforgettable skyline".〔 Within the walls, the well-preserved buildings include notable examples of both Romanesque and Gothic architecture, with outstanding examples of secular buildings as well as churches. The Palazzo Comunale, the Collegiate Church and Church of Sant' Agostino contain frescos, including cycles dating from the 14th and 15th centuries.〔 The "Historic Centre of San Gimignano", is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.〔UNESCO: (Historic Centre of San Gimignano ), (accessed 05-09-2012)〕 The town also is known for the white wine, Vernaccia di San Gimignano, produced from the ancient variety of Vernaccia grape which is grown on the sandstone hillsides of the area.〔(Tuscany Wine ), (accessed 11-09-2012)〕〔(Vernaccia di San Gimignano ), (accessed 11-09-2012)〕 ==History== In the 3rd century BC a small Etruscan village stood on the site of San Gimignano. Chroniclers Lupi, Coppi and Pecori relate that during Catiline conspiracy against the Roman Republic in the 1st century, two patrician brothers, Muzio and Silvio, fled Rome for Valdelsa and built two castles, Mucchio and Silvia (now San Gimignano). The name of Silvia was changed to San Gimignano in 450 AD after the Saint of Modena, Bishop Geminianus intervened to spare the castle from destruction by the followers of Attila the Hun.〔 As a result, a church was dedicated to the Saint and in the 6th and 7th centuries a walled village grew up around it, subsequently called the "Castle of San Gimignano" or Castle of the Forest because of the extensive woodland surrounding it. From 929 the town was ruled by the bishops of Volterra.〔A. M.von der Hagen and R. Strasser, ''op. cit.'' pp. 430-433〕 In the Middle Ages and Renaissance era, it was a stopping point for Catholic pilgrims on their way to Rome and the Vatican, as it sits on the medieval Via Francigena.〔 The city's development was also improved by the trade of agricultural products from the fertile neighbouring hills, in particular saffron, used in both cooking and dyeing cloth and Vernaccia wine, said to inspire popes and poets.〔〔 In 1199, the city made itself independent from the bishops of Volterra and established a podestà, and set about enriching the commune, with churches and public buildings. However, the peace of the town was disturbed for the next two centuries by conflict between Guelphs and Ghibellines, and family rivalries.〔 This resulted in families building tower houses of increasing height. Towards the end of the Medieval period they were 72 in number and up to 70 metres (230 feet) tall. The rivalry was finally restrained when it was ordained by the council that no tower was to be taller than that adjacent to the Palazzo Comunale.〔 While the official patron is Saint Geminianus, the town also honours Saint Fina, known also as Seraphina and Serafina, who was born in San Gimignano 1238 and whose feast day is 12 March. The Chapel of Santa Fina in the Collegiate Church houses her shrine and frescos by Ghirlandaio.〔Rosella Vantaggi, ''op. cit.'' pp. 41-50〕 The house said to be her home still stands in the town. On 8 May 1300, San Gimignano hosted Dante Alighieri in his role of ambassador of the Guelph League in Tuscany.〔(History of San Gimignano ), (accessed 11-09-2012)〕 The city flourished until 1348, when it was struck by the Black Death that affected all of Europe, and about half the townsfolk died.〔 The town submitted to the rule of Florence. Initially, some Gothic palazzo were built in the Florentine style, and many of the towers were reduced to the height of the houses.〔 There was little subsequent development, and San Gimignano remained preserved in its medieval state until the 19th century, when its status as a touristic and artistic resort began to be recognised. 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「San Gimignano」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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