3 miles or 5 kilometers from San Gimignano stands the Sanctuary of Pancole, built in the 17ᵗʰ century on a 15ᵗʰ-century sanctuary frescoed by Pier Francesco Fiorentino. Per tradition, in 1668 the mute shepherdess Bartolomea Ghini regained her speech after a miraculous apparition of the Virgin, recognizable in the frescoed image. The event attracted numerous pilgrims and in just two years, the church was built. Almost completely destroyed in 1944, the Sanctuary was rebuilt and reconsecrated in 1949. In addition to the miraculous fresco, it preserves 17ᵗʰ-century wooden sculptures and numerous votive offerings left by the faithful.

The Parish Church of Cellole is concealed among the cypress trees, immersed in the silence of the hills. Founded in the 11ᵗʰ century, it is a perfect example of Tuscan Romanesque architecture: simple, austere and capable of telling centuries of history. It underwent extensions between the 12ᵗʰ and 13ᵗʰ centuries, a period when, according to Sienese documents, it also housed a leper colony. The church, Romanesque in style and rectangular in plan, has three naves divided by columns supporting double arches and a semicircular apse. A travertine baptismal font and traces of 14ᵗʰ-century frescoes are preserved inside. The façade is framed by a charming cypress grove. Next to the parish church is the Monastery of Bose in Cellole, with attached oratory and courtyard.

Located in the former Santa Chiara Conservatory, the Archaeological and Via Francigena Museum of San Gimignano is part of the city’s Civic Museums. The exhibition opens with a section devoted to the Via Francigena, which transformed the village into an important medieval crossroads, then continues by telling the story of the area from the Archaic Etruscan period to the 18ᵗʰ century. Prominent among the finds are objects from settlements and necropolises in Pugiano, Cellole and La Ripa. A section is also devoted to medieval crafts, such as glassmaking and pottery. The museum is spread over two floors within a complex that also houses the “Raffaele De Grada” Gallery of Modern and Contemporary Art and the Spezieria di Santa Fina.

At the entrance to the Piazza del Duomo stands the Collegiate Church of Santa Maria Assunta, one of the most fascinating churches in Tuscany and the main place of worship in San Gimignano. Built around 1056 and consecrated in 1148, this Cathedral underwent extensions and restorations up until the Renaissance. The sober Romanesque travertine façade introduces a basilica-like interior, punctuated by Tuscan columns and decorated entirely with 14ᵗʰ-century frescoes of the Sienese school, narrating episodes from the Old and New Testaments. Also valuable is the Chapel of Santa Fina, a Renaissance jewel created by Giuliano and Benedetto da Maiano and Domenico Ghirlandaio, dedicated to San Gimignano’s most beloved saint.

In the heart of San Gimignano is the Torre e Casa Campatelli, an 18ᵗʰ-century palazzo that incorporates a medieval tower rising 92 feet or 28 meters, dating back to the 12ᵗʰ century. Donated by Lydia Campatelli to Fondo Ambiente Italiano (FAI—Italy’s National Trust). in 2005, the house can now be visited with its original furnishings and works by painter Guido Peyron. The main floor, reconstructed as it was in the late 19ᵗʰ century, offers a glimpse into the life of a middle-class Tuscan family. On the second floor, an immersive film tells of a thousand years of the village’s history, integrating images and sounds with an alabaster model. The museum joins the “Museum for All” project for cultural accessibility.

Produced in the shadow of medieval towers, Vernaccia di San Gimignano is Tuscany’s most famous white wine, with origins dating back to the 13ᵗʰ century. The first Italian white wine to obtain DOCG status in 1993, it stands out for its quality, elegance and strong connection with the territory. Made from Vernaccia grapes, the wine may contain up to 10% of other non-aromatic white grapes, a choice that enhances its balance. Straw-yellow in color, tending towards a golden hue, it has a fine aroma and a dry, harmonious taste with typical bitterish aftertaste. Excellent as an aperitif or with fish, shellfish and white meat dishes, it should be served chilled, at 51–53 °F (11–12 °C).

Zafferano di San Gimignano DOP is the famous local saffron obtained from the stigmas of Crocus sativus L., grown exclusively in the municipal area in sandy soils that exalt its aroma and intensity. Prized since the 13ᵗʰ century, San Gimignano saffron was exported around Italy, to the East and Africa, so much so that it enriched local families who invested in the construction of medieval towers. Used in cooking, medicine and dyeing, today it is still harvested and processed by hand, as in the Middle Ages. It is featured in typical dishes, even in desserts and gelato, being present in cultural initiatives that enhance its deep connection with the history and traditions of the area.