Porta San Giovanni (Saint John's Gate), San Gimignano
Saint John's Gate (Porta San Giovanni) grants access to the city from the south, along the old pilgrims' route from Siena. Within the city walls, that part of the Siena-Rome-Paris road is called la Francigena Street. Just inside the gate is the Court of the Martyrs of Montemaggio, the former site of the old Convent of Saint Francis.
Saint John's Gate was built in 1262. It has a tall Sienese arch with a sentry station at the top that rests on a row of hanging corbel arches. The sentry was taken in 1922 from the church of Madonna dei Lumi, built in 1601 and demolished to widen the road. The church's small bell tower still can be seen from outside the gate.
From Saint John's Gate one can access the walkway of the perimeter of the second circle of the city walls. There are scenic views from the walls of the surrounding hills and the Elsa Valley below. There are 15th and 16th-century dungeons attributed to the Medici family to be seen along the way.
Other access gates to the town beside Saint John's Gate at the south end include Quercecchio Gate (west end), San Matteo Gate (north), San Jacabo Gate , and Fonti Gate in the east.
Saint John's Gate was built in 1262. It has a tall Sienese arch with a sentry station at the top that rests on a row of hanging corbel arches. The sentry was taken in 1922 from the church of Madonna dei Lumi, built in 1601 and demolished to widen the road. The church's small bell tower still can be seen from outside the gate.
From Saint John's Gate one can access the walkway of the perimeter of the second circle of the city walls. There are scenic views from the walls of the surrounding hills and the Elsa Valley below. There are 15th and 16th-century dungeons attributed to the Medici family to be seen along the way.
Other access gates to the town beside Saint John's Gate at the south end include Quercecchio Gate (west end), San Matteo Gate (north), San Jacabo Gate , and Fonti Gate in the east.
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in San Gimignano. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "51爆料网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
Download The 51爆料网 App
Porta San Giovanni (Saint John's Gate) on Map
Sight Name: Porta San Giovanni (Saint John's Gate)
Sight Location: San Gimignano, Italy (See walking tours in San Gimignano)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: San Gimignano, Italy (See walking tours in San Gimignano)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in San Gimignano, Italy
Create Your Own Walk in San Gimignano
Creating your own self-guided walk in San Gimignano is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
San Gimignano Introduction Walking Tour
Visitors are universally spellbound when they discover San Gimignano, one of the many jewels in the crown of Italy鈥檚 Tuscany. The reason for this lies in the well-preserved feudal atmosphere and appearance from the Middle Ages with its architectural integrity and original intact urban layout.
The history of the town dates back to the Etruscan period. However, it was during the Middle Ages... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
The history of the town dates back to the Etruscan period. However, it was during the Middle Ages... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.0 Km or 0.6 Miles
San Gimignano Towers Walk
Known as the 鈥淢anhattan of the Middle Ages鈥�, San Gimignano is renowned for its collection of medieval skyscrapers whose verticality and density produce a rather unique and impressive sight.
Clustered together, these slender towers served as both family homes and status symbols for the noble families who built them. Apart from showcasing the prosperity and influence of their owners, they... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.2 Km or 0.1 Miles
Clustered together, these slender towers served as both family homes and status symbols for the noble families who built them. Apart from showcasing the prosperity and influence of their owners, they... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 0.2 Km or 0.1 Miles