Once a long time ago, in the Middle Ages, high towers were built on completely different occasions: like church bells, as well as fire and observation posts. But still, most often the tower was built only in order to demonstrate the power of the owner of this medieval skyscraper. For the feudal lord, self -respecting, did not exist in those ancient times a more clear way to declare their material well -being than to build a tower higher than that of a neighbor.
Once upon a time, Bashni houses adorned both Florence and Sienna, but were preserved only in San Jiminyano. According to one version, the preservation of the towers was very facilitated by colored fabrics, the production of which was famous for the city. Local weavers stained them with a special solution, whose composition was stored in strict secret. The price of the fabric in those days was determined by the length of the panel, but there was nowhere to dry the material, so the artisans hung it on the towers, without losing a centimeter of useful space.
The city from the past San Jiminyano was erected in the 3rd century BC. In the X century, the town for the first time appears in the chronicles of that time with the explanations that the place is called exactly in honor of the second archbishop of Modena – St. Jiminan. The saint became famous for the heroic defense of the city from the hordes of the Hunsky commander Attila. Since then, who have not seen the walls and towers of the city! At the end of the XII century, the city was visited by Dante Aligieri himself, then withdrawing the ambassador from the Florentine guelphs. A century later, the future holy Seraphine was born here, which shocked its citizens with resistance in the fight against illness. Here in San Jiminano at the end of the XIII – beginning of the XIV century there lived the Italian poet Folgorie di San Jiminyano – a convinced Epicurean, glorified in his poems women, wine and funny friendly feasts.
The club of travelers is known that no less than towers is famous for San Jiminyano with its wine – Vernaccia di San Gimignano. This is a white wine, which is famous for the first time received the status of Docg in Italy. The history of local vineyards is very interesting, and begins in the Etruscan period of the history of Jiminyano. The famous Wine of Vernachca di San – Dzhiminyano (which, by the way, appreciated Dante himself and even Michelangelo) in the annals was first mentioned in the 13th century. His magnificent taste has been sung by poets since ancient times. Among the Vernaccia di San Gimignano fans were famous people – Dante and Michelangelo.