SanGimignano1300 Museum, San Gimignano

The Golden Age of San Gimignano dawned in the year 1300. On a walk south from the Cathedral Square (Piazza del Duomo) along the Costarella Street, step back in time. On Costarella Street is the Museum of SanGimignano1300. The entrance to No. 3 is marked by a sign not easy to see, inviting the public within at no cost.

Below street level, in a stone-walled room with special lighting and medieval sound effects, is an exact scale model of the town of San Gimignano as it was in the year 1300. The view presented is as if from a hilltop close by. The model shows all of the original 72 proud and powerful towers of the city exactly as they were.

The independent city was located on Francigena Street, the pilgrimage route from France to Rome. It was a prosperous town with a population of about 12,000. The population of the Old City today is around 3,000. The model covers 27 square meters. It is completely made from clay and painted in natural hues.

The city flourished until 1349, with the arrival of the Black Death in Europe. The towers crumbled and the population waned. The Golden Time can be seen again at the SanGimignano1300 Museum. The scale model is the work of the brothers Michelangelo and Raffaello Urbino. The Museum is open to all, from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm everyday.