Piazza della Cisterna (Cistern Square), San Gimignano (must see)

In 1646, the Ridolfi Tower of San Gimignano suddenly collapsed, obliterating itself and the attached Ridolfi Palace (Palazzo Ridolfi) in a cloud of brick dust. The small squares, Elm Square (Piazza dell'Olmo) and Tavern Square (Piazza Delle Taverne), connected by the 13th century Cistern, were merged in a roar. This was the violent birth of the Cistern Square (Piazza della Cisterna).

The brick-paved square has a triangular shape and a slight incline. It is connected to the Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo) by an open passageway. Medieval houses and towers press in against the square. Currently, there are five towers on the site. At one time there were ten. The bases of the missing five can be seen on the facades of their palaces.

On the south side is the 10th-century Arch of Becci (Arco dei Becci), the ancient city gate connecting San Giovanni Street with the Cistern Square. Next to the gateway are the Becci Tower (Torri dei Becci) and the Cugnanesi Tower (Torri dei Cugnanesi). The Cistern is an octagonal travertine well on a stepped pedestal. It is the center point of the square.

As the Cathedral Square was the religious and political square of the town, the Cistern Square was devoted to local culture. It was a marketplace and a venue for performances and festivals. The inverted triangular layout conforms to the 13th-century rules of the Ghibelline commune.

Next to the well is the Razzi Palace (Palazzo Razzi) with its mullioned windows. The Salvestrini House (Casa Salvestrini), close by, was a hospital. Now it is Albergo Hotel. The Tortoli Palace stands next to the truncated Tower of Capitano del Popolo, cut down in the battles among the families.

The Devil's Tower (Torre del Diavolo), next to the two-story Cortesi Palace, is believed to have been lengthened by the devil. On the side of the Loggia of the Commune are the Twin Towers (Torri Gemelle ) of the Ardinghelli and the tower of the Pellari Palace. The cistern well was installed in 1346 by Mayor Guccio Malavolti.